Coin Depicting a Double Cornucopia c. 135 - 176

This is a small coin, most likely made in Judea using metals like bronze or copper. Like all currency, it would have been produced through a combination of skilled handcraft and basic industrial processes. The coin's images, which include a double cornucopia, were likely first carved into a die made of harder metal. This die would then have been used to stamp the image onto blank metal discs. The processes of die-making and striking were sophisticated, requiring both artistic skill and a mastery of metallurgy. The labor would have been organized to allow for large-scale, standardized production. The use of serial methods to make this object, as well as the preciousness of the material, speaks to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The coin represents an early form of mass production, and is also imbued with value, literally and figuratively. By considering the materials, making, and context, we can challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, understanding the full meaning of this artwork.