As of Macrinus 

Curator: Here we have a coin, "As of Macrinus," minted during the reign of the Roman Emperor Macrinus. Editor: It’s aged, worn, but the profile still conveys authority. The patina gives it a compelling weight. Curator: Indeed. Consider the deliberate imagery; Macrinus sought to legitimize his rule through such visual rhetoric, circulating his image and chosen symbols amongst the populace. Editor: But the coin's circular form also reinforces a sense of wholeness and continuity, despite the relative brevity of his reign. Curator: Absolutely, this speaks volumes about the power of visual propaganda in shaping public perception during periods of political instability. Editor: Looking closely, there is a tension between its degraded state and its intended message of enduring power. Curator: That tension makes it a potent artifact. It reminds us that power is always mediated, always contested. Editor: A tiny object, but with so much to say about ambition and the forces that shape history.