Coin of Corcyra under Commodus c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Corcyra under Commodus from the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite small and the material looks like it's been through a lot, but it feels like such a tangible piece of history. What can you tell us about this piece? Curator: Consider the labor involved in producing this coin, the mining and refining of the metal, the die-cutting, the striking itself. The material speaks to the vast trade networks and economic systems that supported the Roman Empire. This wasn't just about money; it was about power, resources, and the exploitation of labor. What was the role of coinage in maintaining social order? Editor: It’s interesting to consider the coin as more than just currency. I never thought about the labor that went into making it! Curator: Indeed, it’s a powerful object when you look at it through that lens.