Where Have You Been My Ancient Coin Poem by Chris Taylor

One of my hobbies is collecting coins. I have a small assembly of ancient and U.S. coins that keep my attention. I love to imagine where the coins have been, whose hands they have touched and what did they buy? The poem represented here is of my oldest coin from circa 305 AD to 311 AD and is over 1700 years old. Can you fathom the events in history this coin could have been a part of. Here is my poem of my favorite coin.
As you read it, let the images of warriors, senators and the “republic” flood your mind and spark a thirst for history as it did for me.
As always, please leave a comment.
Enjoy,
The Great Plains Poet



Where Have You Been My Ancient Coin
a poem by Chris T.


Oh where have you been my ancient coin
I wonder what aged hands have you passed through
Were you the possession of a senator
Or payment to finance the latest coup

Did you pay for a plebeians taxes
Or, did you secure a tribune’s vote
Maybe you purchased a patrician’s tunic
Or, been used to deliver a note

Your Roman bronze was struck by hand
With the face of Galerius embossing the denomination
The force of your hammering has left you oval in shape
With the word “Imperator” showing your deification

Has my coin traveled to Persia
The site of the emperor’s great feat
Or, did you go no farther
Than the bath’s soothing heat

Grain, wine or lamp oil would make a smart choice
Maybe your purchase was more carnal in nature
Did my coin secure an artist for a fresco
Or are you the gathered earnings of a business venture

Were you wagered on a gladiator
Or in a gambling hall
Were you victorious that day
Or did your champion fall

You were forged in the province of Antioch
Along side the many Roman roads
Did you enter Ephesus, Phillipi or Corinth
And did you enter the gates of Rome

Did you buy a gladius
A soldier’s great sword
Or did you provide payment
To feed the Roman horde

Many images flood my mind
Of my ancient coin of old
If only this bronze piece could speak
And its story would be told.