Coin of Octavian, Uncertain Mint, Italy c. 38 BCE

Editor: This is an ancient coin of Octavian, from an uncertain mint in Italy. Considering its age, the material looks surprisingly intact. What does this coin tell us about its time? Curator: The coin’s value lies in its materiality. It speaks volumes about Roman resource extraction, labor, and economic systems. The metal itself would have been mined, smelted, and shaped, involving a network of workers and processes. Editor: So, more than just currency, it's a record of production? Curator: Precisely. How the metal was acquired, who controlled its distribution, and how the coin facilitated trade all reflect the economic and social fabric of Octavian's Rome. It makes us think about the value we assign to things. Editor: I see! Thinking about it that way changes my perspective entirely.