Denarius of Marcus Aurelius issued by Antoninus Pius c. 140

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Marcus Aurelius issued by Antoninus Pius. It looks like a small, silver coin. What strikes you most about this object? Curator: Well, the presence of the holes is fascinating. It speaks to a life beyond its intended purpose as currency, perhaps as adornment, or even a symbol of protest. Who decides whose face gets to be on the money, and what happens when people deface or repurpose that image? Editor: That's such an interesting angle! So, the holes change its meaning entirely. Curator: Precisely. It moves beyond economics and enters the realm of social commentary and perhaps even resistance. What happens when someone literally puts a hole in the system? Editor: I never would have thought of it that way. It’s amazing how much history can be embedded in a coin. Curator: Indeed. It’s a potent reminder that even the smallest objects can tell complex and powerful stories about power, identity, and agency.