Coin of Seleuceia ad Calycadnum under Gordian III and Tranquillina c. 238 - 244

Editor: Here we have an ancient coin of Seleuceia ad Calycadnum, seemingly made during the rule of Gordian III and Tranquillina. What story can this small object tell us? Curator: Well, consider that coins weren't just currency; they were potent propaganda. A woman's image, like Tranquillina’s, on a coin signaled power and legitimacy in a patriarchal society. Editor: So, this coin challenges our assumptions about women's roles in ancient Roman society? Curator: Precisely! It invites us to examine the nuances of female influence and representation, questioning established narratives. What do you think that representation communicates to us today? Editor: It highlights a hidden history, revealing that women could wield symbolic power, even if indirectly. Curator: It does, and reminds us to look for those threads of resistance and influence. Editor: I’ll certainly think about coins differently now. Curator: Me too, let's always look beyond the surface of objects and dig for deeper stories of those who are too often left out.