Denarius of M. Herennius M.f., Rome c. 108

Editor: This is a silver Denarius of M. Herennius M.f., a Roman coin. One side depicts a head, and the other features a figure carrying another. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, consider the material: silver. Its value wasn't just symbolic; it represented real labor extracted from mines, fueling Rome's economy and military. The coin itself, produced en masse, facilitated trade and expanded Roman power. Editor: So, it's not just art, it's a tool of empire? Curator: Precisely. The imagery, likely propagandistic, masks the material realities behind its production and circulation. The coin embodies power dynamics through its material existence. Editor: That's a really interesting perspective; thanks for pointing that out. Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about art through its materials opens up a whole new world of understanding.