Denarius of C. Vibius. C.f. C.n. Pansa Caetronianus, Rome 48 BCE

Curator: This is a Denarius minted by C. Vibius C.f. C.n. Pansa Caetronianus in Rome. Weighing just over 4 grams, these small silver coins were the workhorses of the Roman economy. Editor: It's wild to hold something so small and worn, yet it connects you to an entire empire. Looking at it, I feel this sense of weight, not physical, but historical. Curator: Absolutely. The coin’s obverse features a depiction of the god Pan, identifiable by his goat-like features, while the reverse shows a seated Jupiter in a quadriga, or four-horse chariot. Editor: Pan always strikes me as a bit of a wild card. It's such a contrast with the image of Jupiter, all power and order. Maybe the moneyer was hinting at the chaos beneath the surface of Roman rule? Curator: An interesting interpretation. I see it more as a strategic alignment, invoking both rustic vitality and divine authority to bolster economic confidence. Editor: I like the idea that a tiny coin can be such a rich text, reflecting so much about their world. Curator: Indeed. It's a testament to the power of art, even in miniature, to speak across the ages.