Coin of Thessalonike under Maximinus Thrax c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a coin of Thessalonike issued during the reign of Maximinus Thrax. Editor: It's a powerful, albeit decaying, object. The patinas and wear speak volumes. Curator: Indeed. The material itself, likely bronze or a similar alloy, is heavily patinated, obscuring the original luster but revealing a history of circulation. Editor: I'm struck by the portrait's almost brutal realism. Maximinus Thrax was known as a soldier-emperor, and this coin really conveys that. Curator: Notice the careful articulation of the facial features—the brow, the nose, the jowls. Despite the small scale, the artist has captured a commanding presence. Editor: It's also telling what these coins represented: power, control, and propaganda disseminated to the masses. Who was really benefiting from this portrayal? Curator: A fair point, but the craftsmanship and enduring symbolism still resonate. Editor: Absolutely, a potent reminder of how power is mediated through images, even on something as small as a coin.