Denarius of L. Antestius Gragulus, Rome c. 136

Curator: Here we have a silver denarius, crafted in Rome by the moneyer L. Antestius Gragulus. Editor: It’s got that battered, time-worn look that just oozes history—you can almost feel the weight of centuries. Curator: Note the composition: on one side, the helmeted head of Roma, personifying the city. The reverse depicts the hero Hercules in a chariot drawn by centaurs. Editor: There's something almost chaotic about Hercules and the centaurs, but that controlled chaos gives it a real sense of movement, doesn't it? Like a frozen moment of pure energy. Curator: The die engraver's skill is remarkable, especially considering the scale. The iconography is dense, laden with symbolic significance. Editor: Thinking about who might have held this coin, what they bought with it…it just makes you wonder. Curator: Indeed. These objects connect us to the distant past in a tangible way. Editor: Absolutely. Each mark tells a story.