Coin of Aizanis under Gallienus 253 - 268

Curator: Here we have a Coin of Aizanis under Gallienus. Considering its materiality, what sensations arise in you? Editor: Well, holding something so old…it's like touching time itself. I imagine all the hands it's passed through. A little spooky, a little magical. Curator: Coins, of course, were not just currency, but potent political tools, circulating images of power, empire, and identity. Editor: I see the image of a woman with a staff. Is it the Roman goddess Salus, the goddess of safety and well-being? The coin makes me consider current discussions around whose stories are deemed valuable. Curator: Precisely. The coin circulated a very specific image of Roman power and prosperity, particularly linked to the health and safety of its people, as defined by the ruling elite. Editor: So, it's propaganda on a tiny scale, easy to carry, easy to spread. It shows how art can be used to shape perceptions and normalize certain narratives. It makes me wonder what future generations will make of our coinage and our art. Curator: Indeed, and how power always attempts to legitimize itself through symbolic representation. This coin invites us to consider the legacy of empires and their lasting impact on identity and culture. Editor: A humble little artifact, but it speaks volumes.