Denarius of Mn. Acilius (Glabrio?), Rome 49 BCE

Curator: This is a Denarius of Mn. Acilius, likely crafted in Rome. Its maker was the moneyer Mn. Acilius. Editor: The severe profile and pitted surface give it a stoic, almost weathered, presence. The texture is quite compelling. Curator: The obverse displays Salus, the Roman goddess of safety and well-being, suggesting a hope for prosperity and health. Editor: And on the reverse, we see Valetudo, mirroring Salus, further reinforcing the symbolic connection between these deities and the coin’s purpose. Curator: The die work, though worn, reveals a controlled composition, emphasizing the clean lines of the portrait and figure. Editor: It does spark curiosity about the cultural values placed on security and welfare during that era; a tangible link. Curator: Indeed, this coin serves as both an aesthetic object and a poignant artifact of Roman hopes and anxieties. Editor: Its compact form holds so much historical and emotional resonance; it's quite moving.