Sestertius of Philip II 

Editor: So, this is a Sestertius, a bronze coin by Philip II. It has this gorgeous verdigris patina. It's weathered, obviously seen some things. What secrets do you think this little coin holds? Curator: That green veil, you know, it’s the breath of history itself! Imagine the hands it has passed through, the stories it could tell of emperors, merchants, and everyday Roman life. This isn't just metal, it's a portal. Can you feel it? Editor: I can, actually. It’s pretty incredible to hold something this old. I wonder what it was worth back then? Curator: More than just its weight, I imagine. It bought lives, ambitions, maybe even a fleeting moment of joy. And now, it buys us a glimpse into a world long gone. Editor: I never thought of it that way! Now I see it as a tangible link to the past. Curator: Exactly! And art, at its best, does just that – bridges the gulf between then and now.