Antoninianus of Philip I c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have an Antoninianus of Philip I, a coin produced during his reign. It's fascinating to consider how this object, so small, once functioned in everyday Roman life. What can we understand about its production and circulation? Curator: Precisely. Think about the labor involved in mining, refining the metal, and striking the coin. Who controlled these processes, and how did that power structure affect the imagery chosen for display? The very materiality speaks volumes. Editor: So, it's less about the portrait of Philip and more about the systems that allowed for its creation? Curator: Exactly! The coin isn't just a portrait; it's a material testament to economic and social hierarchies of the Roman Empire. Studying its wear can even tell us about its journey through different hands and markets. Editor: I see. Thinking about it that way, even something like a coin becomes incredibly revealing. Curator: Indeed. It redefines our understanding of art beyond aesthetics.