Sestertius of Trebonianus Gallus c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius of Trebonianus Gallus, a Roman coin. The portrait is striking, but the wear is really visible. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Coins like this were powerful propaganda tools. Think about the image of the emperor constantly circulating, legitimizing his rule to the populace. The coin’s value itself was tied to the empire’s stability. Editor: So, its value was both monetary and symbolic? Curator: Precisely. The imagery, even down to the depiction of temples, reflected the emperor’s aspirations and the empire's projection of power. How does its circulation affect your perception of art? Editor: It makes me think about art as something accessible to everyone, not just the elite. Curator: Exactly! It really puts the “public” in public art.