Coin (AE2) of Magnentius 351 - 353

Editor: Here we have a coin, an AE2 of Magnentius. It's intriguing how the material itself has aged, obscuring the original design. What can you tell me about this object? Curator: Consider the coin as a product of its time. The metal, its sourcing, the minting process - these were all forms of labor and resource management. How does the coin's deterioration reflect on the impermanence of power and the decay of material culture? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective. It’s not just about the image, but the story of its production and survival. Curator: Exactly. The value wasn't just in the face on the coin, but the labor and resources poured into its creation and use within a specific economic and social system. Editor: I never thought about it that way before! Thanks. Curator: My pleasure! Thinking about art from a materialist perspective really deepens our understanding.