Coin of Maxentius, Ticinum 308 - 310

Curator: Here we have a bronze coin minted in Ticinum under the reign of Maxentius. The artifact weighs 5.7 grams. Editor: It's remarkable how much detail they achieved on such a small scale. The patina gives it an almost haunting quality. Curator: Precisely, the value lies in understanding its production. Consider the labor, the mines, the metallurgical processes involved in circulating propaganda. Editor: I’m drawn to the architectural depiction on the reverse. Notice the careful rendering of the temple façade and the figure within. It projects power through classical allusion. Curator: That idealized representation is a key component of Maxentius’s strategy to legitimize his power in the midst of political instability. Editor: Indeed. This coin encapsulates political ambition and artistic skill, immortalized through the labor of the smith. It's truly impressive.