As of Maximian 

Editor: We're looking at a coin, "As of Maximian," probably dating back to the reign of Maximinus I Thrax. It's a small, unassuming object, but its worn texture really speaks to its age and history. What can you tell me about how its materiality informs its meaning? Curator: The coin's metallic composition and the minting process are key. Copper alloy was relatively accessible, indicating a wider distribution of these coins than gold or silver. The act of striking the coin, a repetitive labor, disseminated imperial power across the Roman Empire. Who was involved? What technologies were used? Editor: So, beyond just the image on the coin, it's about the industrial process and accessibility of materials? Curator: Precisely! The coin's existence as a mass-produced object shifts our focus from individual artistry to the broader economic and social structures of the time. Editor: I never thought I could think about labour when looking at a coin. Thank you!