AR Probus 277 - 282

Editor: This is an ancient coin featuring Probus, a Roman emperor. It's amazing to think about how this small object circulated within a vast empire. What does its imagery tell us about Roman society? Curator: Coins like this served as propaganda. Probus's image and the symbols on the reverse, likely related to military victories or agricultural prosperity, projected power and stability. How effective do you think this form of mass communication was? Editor: I imagine it was pretty effective, especially since many people couldn't read. The images would have been really powerful. I hadn't thought about coins as a form of art before. Curator: Exactly. Examining art like this helps us understand how leaders shaped public opinion and legitimized their rule. It makes you wonder about the art we use today for similar purposes, doesn’t it? Editor: It really does. Thanks!