Coin (AE3) of Valentinian II c. 4th century

Editor: This is a coin, an AE3 of Valentinian II. It looks so worn, almost like a fossil. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: Consider that coinage serves as propaganda. Who is being represented, and how? What does the imagery suggest about the emperor's aspirations or the anxieties of the late Roman Empire? Editor: So, the coin wasn't just money, it was a message? Curator: Precisely! It’s a statement about power, carefully circulated among the people. Coins like this shaped public perception. Editor: I never thought of ancient money as political art. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Always consider the context and intent behind the imagery.