Denarius of C. Gargonius, M. Vergilius, and Ogulnius, Rome c. 86 BCE

Editor: This is a Denarius of C. Gargonius, M. Vergilius, and Ogulnius from Rome. It's undated, but made of metal, and quite small. I'm curious about how something so tiny could have been so important. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, consider the Roman denarius not merely as a static image, but as an artifact deeply embedded in the material conditions of its time. How did the minting process influence its design and dissemination, and what does its presence reveal about the socio-economic networks it sustained? Editor: That’s a fascinating way to look at it. So, it's more about the coin's role in society than just its artistic merit? Curator: Precisely. The coin's metallic composition, its weight, and the labor involved in its production speak volumes about Roman society's values and material infrastructure. What were the sources of the silver, and who controlled them? How did this object facilitate trade, taxation, and the projection of imperial power? Editor: Thinking about it that way really changes my perspective. It's not just a coin, it's a piece of a much larger system. Curator: Indeed. By tracing the material history of this denarius, we gain insight into the flow of resources, labor dynamics, and power structures that shaped the Roman world.