Sestertius of Maximinus I c. 3th century

Editor: This is a Sestertius coin of Maximinus I. Seeing it here, it's easy to forget how much power and control it represents. What story does this coin tell you? Curator: It speaks volumes about power and its representation in a time of upheaval. Maximinus Thrax was an unlikely emperor. How did someone of such humble origins seize control and then try to legitimize his rule through coinage? Editor: So, the coin is a form of propaganda? Curator: Precisely. How does Maximinus portray himself? Think about the visual language - the ruggedness, the stern expression. What does that communicate in a society grappling with instability and class division? Editor: It makes me consider how rulers, even today, use symbols and imagery to project strength and authority. Curator: Absolutely! It highlights how coinage, beyond its economic function, served as a crucial tool for shaping public perception and reinforcing social hierarchies. Editor: That's a powerful connection to make. I'll never look at a coin the same way again.