It is said all roads lead to Rome. The aphorism applies to the history of coinage and collecting ancient coins. Rome did not invent money, but its influence on money persists. Gareth Harney’s new book shows this influence using Rome’s coins, telling Rome’s history through the coins it issued. They remain collectible items today.
As Harney shows, Rome’s coins were more than just tokens of exchange. They served as mass media, “spreading ideas, beliefs, news, and propaganda” throughout the Roman Empire. The coins Rome minted reflected the image the Roman government wished to project: both as a republic and as an empire. They revealed Rome’s myths, foundational legends, and prejudices.
