Antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have an Antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus. It's a coin and it looks really old, almost like it’s been through a lot. What kind of stories do you think it holds? Curator: Coins such as this Antoninianus transcended mere currency; they functioned as potent symbols of imperial authority and divine legitimacy. Its images, though weathered, are whispers from a forgotten empire, laden with cultural memory. What emotions does this imagery evoke in you? Editor: It makes me think about how power is communicated and remembered. So, even something small can carry this huge weight of history? Curator: Precisely! This coin reminds us that symbols are never neutral; they shape our understanding of the past and influence the present. It is amazing that we can see that today. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about, how objects carry meaning across centuries.