As of Philip I 

Editor: Here we have "As of Philip I" – a coin, material unknown, by Philip I, the Arab. The wear on the metal makes me wonder how many hands this has passed through. What can you tell me about its creation? Curator: Consider this object not just as currency, but as a product of labor. The mining of the metal, the die-making, the striking of the coin – each stage a contribution. How does understanding its production change your perception of value? Editor: That's interesting. I guess it makes me think about the social system needed to produce something seemingly simple. I hadn't thought about the labor involved. Thanks! Curator: Precisely. It reveals the infrastructure of power and consumption behind even the smallest artifact. A potent reminder of our connection to the past.