Sestertius of Maximinus I 

Editor: Here we have a bronze Sestertius of Maximinus I Thrax. It's amazing to think of all the hands this object has passed through! What can you tell me about the conditions of its production and use? Curator: Consider the mining of the copper, the labor of striking the coin itself, and its role in facilitating trade and maintaining social order within the Roman Empire. Its materiality speaks to power and control. Editor: So, you're saying the coin is more than just currency; it’s a symbol of Roman power through material production and circulation? Curator: Exactly. The coin's wear and tear also tells a story about its life as a tool within a complex economic system. Editor: That's a great point; I hadn't considered the labor and resources embedded in something so small. Thank you!