Denarius of Plautilla c. 202 - 205

Editor: Here we have the Denarius of Plautilla by Septimius Severus, a small coin made of metal. The wear and tear tells a story of circulation and exchange. What can we understand about its value as an object? Curator: This isn't just about Plautilla's image, but the silver itself. Consider the labor extraction required to mine and refine the silver, the workshops where artisans mass-produced these coins, and the economic systems it fueled. This denarius embodies Roman power and its reach, reflecting the material conditions that supported the empire. Editor: So the coin's significance lies in its materiality and the systems it represents? Curator: Precisely. It's a tangible link to the processes of production and consumption that shaped Roman society. By studying this coin, we examine the materiality of power itself. Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way before, fascinating.