Coin of Olba under Faustina II c. 161 - 175

Curator: This is a coin of Olba, featuring Faustina II. Note the formal composition—the carefully rendered portrait on one side balanced by a symbolic figure on the other. Editor: It's incredible how a small object like this embodies so much about the labor and economy of its time. Think of the mining, the smelting, the striking of the coin itself! Curator: Exactly, and the subtle details in the relief—the drapery, the coiffure—speak volumes about the artistic conventions of that era. Semiotically, each element has a particular significance. Editor: I see the coin as a powerful tool, a tool that facilitates trade and, by extension, wields social control. The materials themselves would have been sourced and distributed within intricate trade networks. Curator: I agree, its materiality contributes to meaning. The patina itself is a testament to time, an embodiment of history and use. Editor: Indeed, the wear and tear reveal that it was not just a symbol but a functional object within a wider social and economic framework. Considering its weight of 8.14 grams, imagine how many exchanges it facilitated! Curator: Thinking about it formally and materially makes me appreciate its artistic qualities and historical context, though. Editor: Seeing it in terms of production and purpose shows the value of labor and distribution.