Denarius of M. Atilius Saranus, Rome c. 148

Editor: This is the Denarius of M. Atilius Saranus. It's a Roman coin. What symbolic meanings or cultural significance do you see in this piece? Curator: The coin is a powerful, portable symbol. Consider the helmeted head, often Minerva or Roma, embodying Roman strength. What does it evoke for you? Editor: A sense of authority, definitely, and maybe a connection to military power. Curator: Precisely. And the reverse, with the figures in the chariot, signifies triumph and victory, reinforcing the enduring legacy of Roman power, which is a narrative carried forward across generations. It’s quite potent, isn’t it? Editor: It is. I hadn't thought about how much these little objects carried. Thanks!