Antoninianus of Gallienus c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus, a Roman coin, minted under Emperor Gallienus. Looking at it, I feel an almost ghostly presence. Editor: Ghostly is right. The patina, the wear—it speaks of power, of empires rising and crumbling, of hands exchanging this very piece of metal over lifetimes. Curator: It's fascinating how a small object can carry so much weight, isn’t it? It makes you think about what we value, then and now. Currency, power, the stories we tell ourselves... Editor: Absolutely. And how those values are often embedded in systems of oppression. Who benefited from this coin's circulation? Who was exploited? The coin whispers secrets of inequality. Curator: A beautiful, tragic little mirror reflecting humanity. Editor: Precisely. It challenges us to see beyond the surface, to acknowledge the complexities of history, and to strive for a more equitable future.