Coin Portraying the Empress Tranquillina
193-217
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diam.: 2.2 cm (7/8 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
142901
Art Historical Context
This exquisite bronze coin, measuring a mere 2.2 cm in diameter captures the dignified profile of Empress Tranquillina ancient Rome, dating to the turbulent years of 193–217 AD.uck during a period of imperial transition and military strife in the Severan dynasty's aftermath, such coins were everyday currency that doubled as powerful tools of propaganda. By portraying the empress—likely as a symbol of stability and divine favor—Roman mints broadcast the regime's legitimacy across the vast empire, from bustling markets to distant frontiers. Artistically, the coin exemplifies Roman numismatic ma...
About the Artist
Ancient Roman
The artists attributed to "Ancient Roman" in museum collections represent the anonymous craftsmen who produced the vast output of sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and reliefs defining Roman visual culture from the Republic (c. 509–27 BCE) to the late Empire (c. 395 CE). Individual identities remain elusive, as Roman makers were typically viewed as skilled tradesmen—often enslaved Greeks or provincial...