Coin of Sillyum under Septimius Severus c. 193 - 211

Editor: This coin, minted under Septimius Severus, feels incredibly tactile, even in a picture. It's amazing to consider the hands it passed through. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This coin is less about Septimius Severus as an individual and more about the socio-economic systems in place that allowed for the extraction of raw materials, the labor of minting, and its circulation. The wear and tear on its surface tell a story of use and value exchange. What does its materiality suggest to you about ancient economies? Editor: That it was used as a means of trade, and the wear shows how much it was used. Curator: Precisely. Considering the mass production of these coins, we can learn about resource distribution and labor practices. It's a window into the ancient world's material conditions. Editor: That really puts a different perspective on this coin. Thanks!