Coin of the Thessali c. 253 - 260

Editor: Here we have an artifact listed as "Coin of the Thessali," made by the Koinon of Thessaly. The coin's surface is heavily patinated with these intriguing turquoise deposits. What can you tell us about this coin? Curator: Its materiality speaks volumes. Copper alloy wasn't just a material; it represented access to resources, trade networks, and the technical knowledge to smelt and cast it. The wear and oxidation are not flaws, but rather evidence of its history as a tool of economic and social exchange. What might its weight and size communicate about its value relative to a day's wages? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered! It really puts the object in a different light. Curator: Thinking about the labor involved, from mining the ore to striking the coin, we gain a deeper appreciation for this object beyond its monetary value. Editor: Absolutely, I see the coin now as a record of Thessaly's material culture and economic practices.