Coin of Nikopolis under Otacilia Severa

Editor: Here we have a coin from Nikopolis under Otacilia Severa, weighing just under 10 grams. It’s fascinating to see how daily commerce was impacted by imperial power. What strikes you about it? Curator: This coin highlights the intersection of imperial power and the material culture of everyday life. The labor involved in mining, refining, and striking this coin, controlled by the empire, speaks to their dominance over resources and production. How does understanding its materiality change your perspective? Editor: It really makes you think about the value assigned to metal and the control empires exert over resources. Thanks! Curator: Precisely! Considering the coin's materiality reveals the complex interplay between political power, economic systems, and artistic expression in ancient societies.