Coins as a mirror of rule - communication and propaganda in the 2nd and 3rd centuries

30.01.2025 - 16:00 - 18:00, present in room 18/E07

 Dr. Domenic Städtler, Institute for Museum Research Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

Imperial coinage of the second and third centuries served as an important propaganda tool with a broadly based pictorial program. The messages conveyed became increasingly complex. Sacred and military motifs stood out in particular, with the pictorial program focusing on either traditional or innovative content depending on the situation. The iconographic repertoire in provincial coinage also grew: This sometimes allows for completely new statements. Core messages of the imperial coinage are taken up, but certain political developments are also reflected. The coinage system underwent a number of striking changes. From the second century onwards, devaluation set in and the silver content decreased. At the same time, an increasing number of medallions were issued: The pictorial program is increasingly used as a medium of communication and for purposes of securing loyalty.