As of Trajan Decius c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Trajan Decius. It's quite corroded, but the green patina is visually interesting. What can you tell me about its materiality and production? Curator: The base material and its degradation speaks volumes. This wasn’t just currency; it was a carefully manufactured object reflecting Roman power. The corrosion is not just decay, but a transformation showing its journey through time and earth. Editor: So, the materiality is crucial to its meaning? Curator: Absolutely. The state of the material reflects the economic and social systems that produced and used it, highlighting production, labor, and consumption. Editor: That's a really interesting way to look at it. I'll definitely consider that more. Curator: Indeed! Consider how something mundane tells us about production and cultural ideas around power.