Sestertius of Diadumenianus (cast?) c. 217 - 218

Curator: Here we have a sestertius, a bronze coin, likely a cast, bearing the image of Diadumenian. Editor: It has a melancholic feel for something designed to be so... transactional. Is it the patina of time, or something else? Curator: This particular piece invites inquiry into ancient Roman production methods and their relationship to power. Who had access to bronze? Who controlled the die-making process? Editor: Right! It’s also a tiny portrait, frozen in metal, like a little thought bubble from the past. Imagine all the hands it's passed through. Curator: Exactly, and to consider the socio-economic implications of its value and circulation is crucial. Editor: I'll just daydream about the Roman who dropped it and cursed their luck! Curator: A poignant reminder that even the smallest artifacts carry stories of labor, exchange, and lived experience.