Bronze Coin of Gratian, Siscia 378 - 383

Editor: Here we have a bronze coin of Gratian from Siscia. It's quite small, but the details are fascinating. I’m curious about the figures depicted on it. What do you see in this piece? Curator: For me, it whispers of power and faith intertwined. I imagine the coining itself, the impact of the die, meant to spread the ruler's image and, crucially, a message of divinely sanctioned authority. The figure kneeling before the emperor… Editor: …is that a supplicant? Curator: Perhaps! Or maybe Roma herself, offering allegiance. Think of the symbolism! It's like a tiny, portable propaganda piece, a pocket-sized power statement. What resonates most with you? Editor: I hadn't thought of it as propaganda before, but now I see it! Curator: Exactly! A little window into a world of emperors and gods.