Pentanummium of Anastasios I, Constantinople 498 - 518

Editor: This is a bronze Pentanummium from Constantinople under Emperor Anastasios I. It's small, but you can tell it was made with care. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The coin's materiality speaks volumes. Bronze, a common metal, reflects the economic realities of the time. How does the mass production of these coins challenge our typical notions of art objects? Editor: I hadn't thought about that. Each one was hand-struck, right? So, is it craft or industry? Curator: Precisely. And consider the labor involved in mining, refining, and striking each coin. Were these skilled or forced laborers? The value is not just in the coin itself, but in understanding its production and place within society. Editor: That makes me think differently about something so small. Curator: Indeed. Material analysis opens up a much wider lens.