Antoninianus of Tetricus I 270 - 273

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus, a coin minted during the reign of Tetricus I. Editor: The patina alone is fascinating. It speaks of time and decay, yet somehow preserves the faint image. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like these weren't just currency; they were miniature billboards of power, embedding the ruler's image into the collective psyche. Editor: I notice the textures, how the raised surfaces catch the light. It's a play of relief and shadow that defines the portrait. Curator: Consider, too, what that portrait aimed to project: authority, stability, legitimacy. These coins helped shape public perception and cement his rule. Editor: Ultimately, it reminds us that even something as small as a coin can carry immense cultural and historical weight. Curator: Indeed, it allows us a tangible connection to a distant ruler and his aspirations.