AR Commodus 

Curator: Here we have a coin depicting Commodus, a Roman emperor whose reign, from 177 to 192 AD, was marked by autocracy and extravagance. Editor: The worn metal gives it such a tactile quality. I can almost feel the weight and coolness of it in my hand. Curator: Coins like these were powerful tools for projecting imperial image and power. Commodus, eager to legitimize his rule, appears frequently on coinage. Editor: I’m struck by the contrast between the crisp detail of his profile and the somewhat crude rendering of the figures on the reverse side. Curator: That’s a very astute observation. Commodus's controversial persona—his narcissism, his obsession with gladiatorial combat—offers a lens through which we can examine the power dynamics of ancient Rome. Editor: For me, the coin's formal elements reflect the tensions of the period: polished portraiture versus the rough edges of reality. Curator: Indeed. I find it deeply revealing of his aspirations and failures as a leader, a potent symbol of his place in history.