As of Commodus 

Curator: Look at this coin – "As of Commodus," they call it. It's just so wonderfully, tangibly ancient. You can practically feel the weight of history in its little 10.97 grams. Editor: It strikes me as a stark reminder of power and its inherent instability. A coin, meant to symbolize economic strength, now corroded and worn. The face of Commodus, obscured. What does it signify? Curator: I suppose, in a way, it’s about the fragility of legacy, isn't it? About how even emperors fade into the grand, muddy river of time. Editor: Indeed. Commodus, remember, wasn't just any emperor; his reign was marked by decadence and authoritarianism, leading to widespread social unrest. This coin isn’t merely currency; it's a symbol of systemic oppression. Curator: Right, but isn't there something beautiful about the way time softens these hard edges? The way the details blur, and all that remains is this... suggestion of power? Editor: Perhaps beauty born of decay, but we mustn't romanticize the past. This coin serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to critically examine how power is wielded and remembered. Curator: A weighty little token then—both literally and metaphorically. Editor: Precisely. A reminder that even the most enduring symbols of authority are subject to the relentless erosion of time and social reckoning.