Serrate Denarius of L. Licinius L.f. C.n. Crassus, Cn. Domitius Cn.n. Cn.f. Ahenobarbus, and L. Pomponius, Narbo c. 118

Curator: Here we have a serrate denarius issued by L. Licinius Crassus, Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus, and L. Pomponius, likely from Narbo. Editor: Its rough texture and small size give it an intimate, almost worn feeling—like it carries the weight of countless transactions and travels. Curator: Indeed. The serrated edge, aside from its aesthetic appeal, was a measure against counterfeiting. Notice the head of Roma on one side, a symbol of the Republic. Editor: And on the other, a figure in a chariot, representing the lineage and power of these moneyers. It's propaganda on a minuscule scale. Who were they trying to impress? Curator: Perhaps to reassure the populace of the stability and legitimacy of the currency, and by extension, the state itself. Coinage often served as a powerful tool for disseminating political messages. Editor: It's fascinating how such a small object embodies grand themes of power, identity, and economic control in the Roman world. Curator: Absolutely. It's a potent reminder that symbols, even on something as mundane as currency, shape our understanding of history and ourselves.