Coin of Ascalon under Antoninus Pius c. 151 - 152

Editor: This is a coin of Ascalon under Antoninus Pius, made of an unknown metal and very small, less than an inch. What strikes me is its worn texture and the faint imagery. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The coin's materiality speaks volumes. Its size and metal content reflect the economic realities of Ascalon under Roman rule. Think about the labor involved in its creation, from mining the metal to the detailed engraving. What does this suggest about Ascalon's place in the Roman economic system? Editor: That's fascinating! I never considered the coin as a product of labor and economic forces. Curator: Exactly! Examining the means of production and circulation gives us insights beyond just its face value. I wonder how many hands this coin passed through and what it purchased. Editor: I'll definitely look at ancient artifacts differently now. It’s more than art; it's a snapshot of a whole society.