Antoninianus of Gallienus c. 3th century

Editor: So, this is an Antoninianus of Gallienus, a Roman coin, at the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, a bit worn, but you can still see the details. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, consider the material: likely silver, debased over time due to economic pressures. This coin wasn't just currency; it was a tool, a carefully manufactured item circulated within a specific socio-economic structure. It's a mass-produced object, but it reflects decisions made about labor and the availability of resources. How does understanding that change your perspective? Editor: It shows how intertwined art and the economy are. Curator: Precisely! And what does that tell us about power at the time?