Antoninianus of Philip I c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have an Antoninianus of Philip I, dating back to ancient Rome, crafted from silver. It's incredible how the materials have endured! What do you make of this coin as an artifact? Curator: The coin's production speaks volumes. The act of minting, the labor involved in extracting and refining the silver, and the symbolic choices—these reveal the empire's grasp on resources and power. Its very existence challenges our assumptions about art and craft. Editor: So, it's not just about the image, but the whole process? Curator: Precisely. This coin is a product of its time, reflecting Roman economic and social systems through its materiality and production. Thinking about its journey through time as a means of exchange also shifts our perspective on its value. Editor: That's given me a lot to think about!