Coin of Ptolemy XII Auletes 80 BCE-51 BCE

Editor: Here we have a coin of Ptolemy XII Auletes, a small piece of metalwork currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It looks quite worn. What can you tell us about its significance? Curator: The means of production here are central. This isn't just money; it's a material record of power. Consider the labor involved in mining, smelting, and striking these coins. Whose hands touched this? Whose backs broke to create the wealth it represents? Editor: That’s a very different perspective than I considered. So it is not about its monetary value, but the social context? Curator: Precisely. The coin's materiality speaks volumes about resource control and the exploitation inherent in ancient economies. A seemingly insignificant object reveals the complex relationships between labor, value, and power. Editor: This makes me appreciate the complexity embedded in everyday objects. Thanks for your insight!