Denarius of Marc Antony, Moving Mint 42 BCE

Editor: This is a denarius issued by Marc Antony. It's a small, silver coin, a seemingly insignificant object. But it must have taken expertise and labor to produce. What can we read into its production and purpose? Curator: The coin's materiality speaks volumes. Silver, while not the most precious metal, still signified value. Its creation, from mining to minting, reveals economic and social structures. Consider the labor invested and the distribution of wealth it facilitated. Editor: So, it's less about the artistry and more about the network it represents? Curator: Precisely. It blurs the line between art and craft, highlighting the material conditions of its creation and consumption. It’s a small object with an outsized story about Roman power and economy embedded within its form. Editor: That gives me a completely different perspective. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Examining the means of production and circulation opens up new avenues for interpretation.