Restored Denarius of M. Caecilius Q.f. Q.n. Metellus, Rome 82 BCE-80 BCE

Editor: Here we have an anonymously created, restored denarius of M. Caecilius from Rome. Its worn details and small scale give it an intimate feel, like a secret from the past. What strikes you about this coin? Curator: This denarius isn't just currency; it's a powerful emblem of Roman identity. The portrait, likely an idealized representation of a Roman ancestor, projects authority. How do you think such iconography bolstered the political landscape and social hierarchies of the time? Editor: It's interesting to think of something so small carrying so much weight in terms of power and identity. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It's a reminder that even the smallest objects can embody complex social and political narratives.