Coin of Antioch under Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Antioch under Antoninus Pius from the Harvard Art Museums. It’s so small and worn, it feels like a tangible link to the past. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the coin's materiality. It’s not just an image; it’s a bronze object produced through specific labor processes. This coin embodies the Roman state's power—its ability to extract resources and control production. Editor: So, the act of making the coin is as important as what it represents? Curator: Precisely. By analyzing its production and circulation, we can understand the economic and social systems at play in Antioch under Roman rule, revealing deeper insights than just the portrait of Antoninus Pius. Editor: That’s a totally different way of seeing it. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Examining art through a material lens can be so rewarding.