Denarius of Philip I 

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Philip I, the Arab. It's intriguing how a simple coin can tell us so much about the Roman Empire's economy and artistry. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the material: silver. Its extraction, processing, and distribution reflect labor systems, trade networks, and power dynamics. The coin's design, stamped with imperial imagery, served as propaganda, circulating messages of authority and control throughout the Roman world. What does this level of wear suggest to you about its use? Editor: It's clearly been handled a lot. Knowing all this, it makes you wonder who touched it and what their lives were like. Curator: Exactly! The coin transcends its monetary value, becoming a tangible link to the lives and labor of people long past.