Coin of Amphipolis under Commodus c. 2th century

Editor: This is a bronze coin of Amphipolis, likely minted under Commodus. The wear gives it such a tactile quality. What stories can we unearth from something so small? Curator: The coin's degradation speaks volumes. Commodus's reign marked a shift, didn't it? His self-aggrandizement challenged the very foundations of Roman leadership and civic virtue. Editor: So, the coin isn’t just currency, but a propaganda tool, reflecting Commodus's own image of himself? Curator: Precisely. Consider how power dynamics played out in Amphipolis. What would it mean for this city to produce coins with Commodus's image? What layers of meaning do you see? Editor: It’s fascinating to think about the layers of political and cultural meaning embedded within this coin. Curator: Exactly! It is a potent symbol of a ruler's ambitions and a city's relationship to power.