Aureus of Carinus c. 283 - 285

Editor: Here we have a gold Aureus of Carinus, of no known date, and I’m struck by how such a small object could convey so much power and authority. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This coin wasn't just currency; it was a carefully crafted piece of political messaging. The emperor's portrait, the inscriptions—they all served to project an image of strength and legitimacy. How do you think its distribution affected the public perception of Carinus? Editor: It must have been quite effective, having his image literally in the hands of the people. I hadn’t considered its propaganda value. Curator: Exactly! And it’s a great example of how art and power have always been intertwined. Editor: I’ll definitely think about coins differently now.