Coin of Theodoric, Ravenna c. 471 - 526

Editor: Here we have a "Coin of Theodoric, Ravenna." It's creator is Theodoric, but its date is unknown. The coin’s humble state makes me wonder, what can you tell me about it? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about the mechanisms of power and trade. Consider the materiality - the base metal, its weight of 1.55g; what economic activities did it enable? What does its worn surface reveal about its circulation and use? Editor: So, the coin's value lies in its practical function and the story of its creation and use? Curator: Exactly! How the coin served as a tool in everyday transactions, reflecting larger social and economic structures of the time. Editor: I never thought of a coin offering so much insight into labor and the economy! Thanks! Curator: It's amazing how objects, seemingly insignificant, hold profound stories about the human experience.