Sestertius of Alexander Severus c. 3th century

Editor: This is a sestertius, a Roman coin, depicting Alexander Severus. It's amazing how much information is packed into such a small object! What can we learn from the materials and production of something like this? Curator: The very substance of this coin—its weight, its metallic composition—speaks to Roman economic systems. Consider the labor: from mining the metals to striking the die. Each coin represents a tangible unit of imperial control, a product of Roman infrastructure and governance. Editor: So, by studying this coin, we're not just looking at a portrait of an emperor, but also at the labor and materials that went into making it? Curator: Exactly! Its circulation also indicates patterns of trade and consumption. The coin wasn't just a symbol; it was a tool within a complex network of production, distribution, and power. Editor: It’s fascinating to think about a small object like this having such a big story to tell. Curator: Indeed. It challenges us to look at even the most mundane objects as embodiments of larger material and social forces.