Sestertius of Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius coin, made by Severus Alexander. The greenish bronze is really something. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Its materiality speaks volumes. The coin wasn't just about currency, but about production, labor, and consumption under the Roman Empire. This bronze disc was more than just money; it was a symbol of power, forged through specific industrial processes. Editor: So the method of creation matters more than the image itself? Curator: Absolutely. The very act of minting these coins reveals the scale of resource extraction, and the social organization of labor at the time. Consider the environmental impact, the mining of the ore, the fuel needed for the forges. Editor: I never thought about that side of ancient coins! Curator: These details are key to understanding the political and economic context. Editor: Thanks, I’ll definitely look at similar works in a new way.