Antoninianus of Tetricus I 270 - 273

Editor: This is an Antoninianus coin of Tetricus I. It's amazing to see how the material has aged, with that green patina. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The very degradation of the coin is significant. It speaks to its life cycle – from the mine, to the mint, to circulation, and now, display. Consider the labor involved in extracting the metal, the societal value placed upon it, and its ultimate entombment. What does its fragmented state tell us about the precarity of power and value? Editor: That's fascinating! I never considered the coin's journey beyond its initial creation. Thanks for sharing that perspective. Curator: Of course. Now, how does this coin's materiality challenge our notions of "fine art" versus "everyday object?"