Sestertius of Lucius Verus 

Editor: This is a Sestertius of Lucius Verus, weighing 23.3 grams. It's fascinating how the object itself, a common coin, embodies power and authority. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The coin’s material, its weight, the very act of its production and distribution, these are all deliberate choices. The image, though worn, speaks to the control exerted through readily available, portable propaganda. Consider the labor involved in extracting the metal, minting the coin, and the social structure that enabled this production. Editor: So, beyond just its value as currency, it's a statement about Roman power? Curator: Precisely. It's a tangible artifact reflecting the socio-economic and political structures of its time. How do you think its circulation impacted the perception of Lucius Verus? Editor: I hadn't considered its reach. It's incredible how a single coin reveals so much about the Roman world. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It's a reminder that even the smallest objects can tell us the grandest stories about production, consumption, and societal control.