Denarius of Q. Marcius Philippus, Rome c. 129

Curator: This is a denarius, a Roman silver coin, created by Q. Marcius Philippus. Editor: There's a weight to its imagery, even in this small form; a palpable sense of Roman authority compressed into a handheld object. Curator: Precisely. Coins were instruments of propaganda and social cohesion. We see Roma's helmeted head on one side. Editor: And a horseman, a clear reference to military prowess, on the other. The horse rears—it’s more than just a symbol of transport; it's virility and power. Curator: Moneyers, often from powerful families, chose imagery that reinforced their status and legacy within the Republic. Editor: So, each coin acts as a tiny, portable monument to personal and familial ambition. Remarkable how much cultural weight it carries. Curator: A very tangible link to the political theater of ancient Rome. Editor: Indeed, the symbols speak volumes, even millennia later.