As of Vespasian, Rome c. 77 - 78

Editor: Here we have a coin, “As of Vespasian, Rome.” What strikes me is the incredible detail packed into such a small object. What stories do you think this object carries? Curator: This coin, a tangible piece of Vespasian's Rome, is rich in symbolic weight. The portrait itself is an ideal, projecting power, but what about the symbols on the reverse? Editor: I see lettering and what looks like figures, though they're worn. What do they signify? Curator: The lettering is a public declaration, while the figures likely represent virtues or deities associated with Vespasian's reign. This coin embodies Roman ambition, authority, and cultural memory. Editor: So, it’s not just money, but propaganda in miniature. I never thought about it that way. Curator: Exactly. Images, like words, can shape perception and reinforce power. It is fascinating to consider how these symbols resonated then and continue to speak to us today.