Coin of Carrhae under Gordian III c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Carrhae under Gordian III, residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's incredibly weathered, almost unreadable, but that's what intrigues me. What can we learn from this object as a material? Curator: Let's consider the coin not just as currency or a symbol of power, but as a product of labor and trade. The very metal it's made from—where did it originate? How was it mined and refined? The minting process itself involved skilled artisans. Editor: So you’re saying the value lies not just in what it represents but in the whole system of its creation? Curator: Exactly. And consider its journey through history. Each abrasion, each imperfection tells a story of handling, circulation, and perhaps even loss and rediscovery. It highlights the social and economic networks of its time. Editor: That gives me a completely different perspective. Thanks, I'll look at artifacts in a new light from now on. Curator: Indeed. By studying its material composition and the processes involved, we gain a deeper understanding of ancient economies.