Countermarked coin of Valerian? c. 3th century

Editor: So, this object is a "Countermarked coin of Valerian?" It's undated, made by Valerian I, and it seems to be made of bronze. It's interesting how worn down it is. What can we learn from it? Curator: The wear and tear itself is significant. It speaks to the coin's circulation, its life as a material object passed between hands, a tangible representation of economic and social exchange. Editor: So, the coin's materiality shows its journey through history? Curator: Precisely. Each scratch, each mark, tells a story of production, distribution, and ultimately, consumption. The countermarking itself signifies a reevaluation, a further layer of meaning imposed on the original object. Editor: That’s a really interesting perspective. I never thought of a coin that way! Curator: Considering art as a material process really opens up how we interpret its meaning.