Antoninianus of Quintillian c. 270

Curator: This is an Antoninianus, a coin minted during the reign of Quintillus. Editor: It's fascinating, really. The wear and corrosion on the metal speak volumes of its journey through time. Curator: These coins served a vital role in Roman society. They facilitated trade, paid soldiers, and functioned as propaganda, bearing the emperor’s image and promoting his agenda. Editor: You can almost feel the hands that exchanged it centuries ago, each transaction leaving its mark on the material itself. Curator: Exactly. They were a direct link between the emperor and his subjects, a tangible symbol of Roman power and authority. Editor: It’s compelling how such a small object could hold so much cultural weight. Makes you think about the lifespan of artifacts and our relationship to them.