Coin of Sepphoris- Diocaesarea under Antoninus (?) c. 138 - 161

Editor: This intriguing coin, attributed to Antoninus Pius, is called "Coin of Sepphoris-Diocaesarea." The worn texture suggests a long history of use and exchange. What can you tell me about the making and meaning of this object? Curator: The coin is a great example of how value is literally stamped onto a material. The labor involved in mining the metal, crafting the die, and striking the coins speaks to the Roman Empire's economic and administrative reach. How does understanding its materiality change your perception of the coin? Editor: It makes me consider the economic systems that allowed this coin to function and how materials enable these systems! It is like the artifact embodies these systems. Curator: Exactly! The social context of its production and circulation makes it so much more than just a piece of metal.