Coin of Tarsos under Antoninus Pius c. 138 - 161

Curator: This is a bronze coin from Tarsos, dating to the reign of Antoninus Pius. It weighs just under 7 grams and shows significant wear. Editor: It feels like a tangible link to the past; the corrosion tells a story of time, trade, and perhaps even conflict. Curator: Absolutely. The coin's materiality speaks volumes about Roman provincial administration. Its production reflects economic activity within Tarsos under Roman rule. Editor: And what narratives might this coin unlock regarding identity? The imagery would have been immediately understood by the local population, reinforcing political and cultural power dynamics. Curator: Indeed. The images and inscriptions are critical to understanding the coin’s intended function as propaganda, or even simply to facilitate economic exchange. Editor: It makes me wonder about the hands it passed through, the transactions it facilitated, the socio-economic strata it touched. Curator: Precisely, analyzing the coin's physical properties and design offers insights into resource management, technological skill, and symbolic communication. Editor: Thinking about the power structures that are ingrained in the creation and distribution of money is quite fascinating. Curator: Agreed. The coin is both an object and a tool. Editor: Ultimately, it connects the micro of individual exchange to the macro of empire, doesn't it?