Antoninianus of Tetricus II c. 270 - 273

Editor: This is an Antoninianus coin featuring Tetricus II. It's a small, worn piece, but I'm curious about how this object was used to establish power and influence. What can you tell me about its significance in its time? Curator: The Antoninianus of Tetricus II, though small, speaks volumes about the fraught power dynamics of the late Roman Empire. Consider how the very act of minting and distributing coinage was a claim to authority during a period of political fragmentation and crisis. Editor: So, was it a form of propaganda? Curator: Precisely. The image of Tetricus II, likely idealized, served to project an image of strength and legitimacy, attempting to solidify his rule amidst competing factions. How might the coin's material, its very existence as a circulating object, reinforce or challenge traditional notions of Roman imperial power? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about it that way. It's more than just an artifact; it's a statement. Thanks! Curator: Absolutely. By understanding the historical and social context, we can begin to see the coin as a powerful tool, a means of communication, and a testament to the complexities of power.