Serrate Denarius of Q. Fufius Q.f. C.n. Calenus and P. Mucius Scaevola, Rome c. 70 BCE

Curator: Here we have a fascinating Serrate Denarius, a Roman coin crafted by Q. Fufius Q.f. C.n. Calenus. Editor: It looks like a tiny cogwheel of history. Seriously, all those little teeth around the edge give it an unexpectedly industrial feel. Curator: The serrations were likely a way to prevent counterfeiting, a testament to trust—or lack thereof—in the ancient world. Editor: On one side, those conjoined heads are intense, almost like they're sharing a secret—or maybe locked in an eternal disagreement. It’s very evocative, and the symbolism is really doing it for me. Curator: Indeed! The two figures represent Honos and Virtus, personifications of Honor and Virtue, crucial concepts in Roman society. The other side depicts Italia and Roma clasping hands. Editor: Wow, a handshake across nations. It’s all about unity, isn’t it? The imagery just radiates the desire for strength through togetherness. Curator: Precisely. And the coin itself, circulating widely, would have served as a constant reminder of those ideals. Editor: It's humbling to hold something so small that carried such enormous weight.