Antoninianus of Trajan Decius, Rome c. 249 - 251

Editor: This is an Antoninianus of Trajan Decius, a Roman coin. It seems so small, almost insignificant, yet it was clearly important enough to be made. What can we learn from an object like this? Curator: Coins were vital tools of Roman imperial power. Who is represented on this coin, and what message does the image convey to its users about power? Editor: On one side there’s a portrait of Trajan Decius. The other side shows a figure...maybe a goddess? What do these images communicate? Curator: The goddess probably represents abundance or victory, linking the emperor to those concepts. This coinage visually reinforced imperial authority and projected an image of stability, which might have been particularly vital during times of unrest. Editor: So, even something as small as a coin could be a powerful form of propaganda. Curator: Precisely. It shows how art was used to shape public perception and consolidate power. It’s a reminder that art is never neutral.