Antoninianus of Gallienus 

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus of Gallienus, a coin minted during his reign. Its small size belies its significance as a tool of political messaging. Editor: It's so worn, almost ghostly. You can barely make out the details, just hints of figures and text. The green patina makes it look ancient, of course. Curator: The material itself, a debased silver alloy, speaks volumes about the economic pressures of the time. Cheap materials for mass production. Editor: Absolutely. These coins circulated widely. Think about how this object, small as it is, connected people across the Roman Empire to Gallienus. The very act of handling it was a political act, whether the user knew it or not. Curator: The wear and tear also illustrate its journey through time, its constant handling and circulation within various markets. Editor: It reminds us that even seemingly insignificant objects can carry tremendous cultural and historical weight. Curator: Precisely, it is a study in materials and meaning intertwined.