Sestertius of Severus Alexander

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius of Severus Alexander. I'm struck by the coin's wear and tear; it makes it feel really tangible, like a piece of history you can hold. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the material itself: bronze. Its extraction, refinement, and eventual use in coinage represents a complex network of labor and resource management. What social narratives are embedded within this object's production and circulation? Editor: So, beyond its face value, you're saying it's a record of Roman economics and even labor practices? That's fascinating. Curator: Precisely. The coin's physical decay also speaks to the constant cycle of consumption, value, and material transformation inherent in capitalist societies. Editor: I see what you mean; this isn't just about ancient Rome but about how we value objects, even today. Thanks for pointing that out.