Antoninianus of Gallienus c. 3th century

Editor: This is an Antoninianus, a coin minted during the reign of the Roman Emperor Gallienus. Its wear speaks volumes! What can you tell me about it? Curator: Think about the labor involved in extracting the metal, striking the coin, and distributing it. This wasn't just about art; it was about power, trade, and the tangible manifestation of Roman authority. Who benefited from its production and circulation? Editor: That's a completely different angle than I considered! I was focused on the images. Curator: The images are propaganda, of course, but the material reality of the coin–its weight, its metallic composition–tells a more grounded story about the empire's reach and its economic foundations. It makes you wonder about resource control and the lives of ordinary workers. Editor: So, it's less about the Emperor and more about the process that enabled his image to circulate? Curator: Precisely! We see the residue of power in the wear and tear. Editor: I'll definitely look at coins differently now!