Coin of the Province of Crete under Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a coin from the province of Crete, minted under Antoninus Pius. It's small, but the weathered bronze is incredibly tactile. What stands out to you about it? Curator: Well, consider the means of production. The striking of this coin – the labor, the metal’s source, the economic context of its use as currency. How does its materiality challenge our traditional ideas about art and value? Editor: It’s amazing to think about the process behind it. I hadn’t really considered the labor involved. Curator: Exactly! This wasn't just a symbolic gesture. It fueled an empire. Think about how it was consumed. Editor: I see it now, it speaks volumes about the economic and social context of its time. Thanks for illuminating that! Curator: My pleasure. Examining the coin this way allows us to appreciate it beyond mere aesthetics.