Denarius of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Antoninus Pius. It's small, like a whisper from the past, yet feels so weighty with history. What do you make of it? Curator: It's remarkable, isn't it? This coin offers a glimpse into a world of power and divinity, compressed into a tiny, portable format. The emperor's portrait, the altar on the reverse... They're not just images, they're statements. Does the altar remind you of anything? Editor: It makes me think of a cake, maybe? So, power and divinity served on a platter? Curator: Precisely. It's propaganda, of course, but also a fascinating cultural artifact. You see how the coin feels like both artifact and message. Editor: I see what you mean. It’s an object that's meant to be used, but also to be seen and admired. Curator: Yes! Each coin was a tiny, jingling advertisement for the Emperor and the Empire. It is amazing to think that so much history is hidden in something so small! Editor: Amazing, I'll never look at change the same way.