Radiate Fraction of Galerius, Cyzicus 295 - 299

Editor: This is a Radiate Fraction of Galerius from Cyzicus. Seeing this worn coin, I immediately think about how tactile and symbolic it must have been. What significance did these symbols hold for people then? Curator: Indeed, this coin is potent. Consider the radiate crown, a sun symbol adopted to associate the emperor with divinity, drawing parallels to Sol Invictus. What does that evoke for you? Editor: The sun...a promise of something greater? Curator: Precisely! Coins weren't just currency; they were instruments of propaganda, embedding cultural values and imperial power into everyday life. It's a powerful reminder of how symbols can shape perception and memory. Editor: I never thought about a coin carrying so much weight. It's fascinating how images can communicate so much. Curator: Absolutely. Visual symbols are powerful cultural time capsules.