Sestertius of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a sestertius, a bronze coin bearing the image of Antoninus Pius. It’s incredible to consider the labor involved in extracting, smelting, and striking this metal, and how its worth dictated someone’s life. What can we infer from the materiality of this object? Curator: It is not merely a symbolic representation of power but also a tangible product of the Roman state. The coin’s metallic composition reveals the reach of Roman mining operations, the skill of its artisans, and its role in facilitating the economic realities of the empire. Consider how the patina tells a story of its burial and discovery. Editor: That's fascinating. I’m starting to see the coin as less an image and more like a historical artifact of production and trade. Curator: Exactly! Its value wasn’t just in its face value, but in the labor and resources embedded within the bronze itself.