Antoninianus of Probus 277 - 282

Editor: This is the Antoninianus of Probus, a coin held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. The image is weathered, and worn from age. What do you see in this piece that speaks to its historical and social context? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a form of propaganda, carefully designed. Who is represented and how? Consider what messages the Roman Empire tried to convey about power, legitimacy, and cultural values. Editor: So, the imagery was deliberately constructed to shape public perception? Curator: Exactly. Coins circulated widely, reaching diverse populations. How did visual language reinforce Roman authority and its societal structures? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. I see it now as more than just a coin, but as a statement of Roman power. Curator: Precisely. It’s a glimpse into how power was projected and perceived in the ancient world.