As of Maximinus I c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a coin, "As of Maximinus I," likely made during his reign. The details are worn, but the portrait feels imposing. What can you tell me about the role of imagery on currency? Curator: Coins were powerful tools of propaganda in ancient Rome. Maximinus Thrax, a relatively unknown soldier who rose to become Emperor, used coins to legitimize his rule and project an image of strength and authority to the populace. Editor: So, the coin wasn't just money, but a message? Curator: Exactly! Coins like this circulated widely, bringing the Emperor's image, and therefore his power, into the daily lives of people across the Empire. The imagery and inscriptions were carefully chosen to reinforce specific political and social values. Editor: It's amazing how much a small object can reveal about the politics of the time. Curator: Indeed. Examining these objects allows us to analyze the conscious construction of imperial power and its dissemination through visual culture.