Radiate Fraction of Galerius, Carthage c. 303

Editor: This is a Radiate Fraction of Galerius from Carthage. It's incredibly small, just 2.84 grams, and made of what looks like bronze. What strikes me is how worn it is. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a material testament to labor and economic exchange. This coin wasn't just about representing Galerius, but facilitating daily transactions, shaping social relations through materiality. The wear speaks to its intense circulation. What does its being made of bronze, a less precious metal, say about its intended use and the social strata it served? Editor: That's a great point! I hadn't thought about the bronze impacting who used it. It really makes me consider how everyday objects can carry so much historical weight. Curator: Exactly. Analyzing the materials and the means of production gives us a tangible connection to the past.