AE of Valentinian I, Aquileia 367 - 375

Curator: This is a bronze coin, an AE of Valentinian I, struck in Aquileia. Considering it weighs a mere 2.56 grams, the detail is remarkable! Editor: It has a somber, worn beauty, hasn't it? I'm immediately drawn to the texture of the metal, the way it speaks to the passage of time and countless transactions. Curator: Coins like these were not just currency; they were powerful propaganda tools. Circulating images of the emperor reinforced his authority throughout the vast Roman Empire. Editor: Exactly! Think of the labor involved in mining, smelting, and striking each coin. The whole process becomes a reflection of imperial power made manifest. Curator: The imagery on the reverse, the emperor raising a kneeling figure, likely represents imperial clemency or victory over a foe. These coins helped to shape public perception of Valentinian I. Editor: And now, centuries later, this small object allows us to connect with the materiality of an empire. Curator: Indeed. The coin becomes a lens through which we can understand the economic and political forces at play during Valentinian’s reign. Editor: It reminds me of the slow, steady accumulation of history encoded in the object itself.