Denarius of T. Carisius, Rome c. 46 BCE

Editor: This is a Denarius of T. Carisius from Rome. It's essentially an ancient silver coin. What strikes me is how much handling it must have endured to get this worn. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Think about the material itself. Silver, extracted, refined, and then struck. These processes required intense labor. What does the coin's imagery—the head of Roma and the tools on the reverse—tell us about Roman values and the systems of production they supported? Editor: So, you're suggesting the coin's value isn't just monetary, but also reflective of the labor and societal values embedded within its creation? Curator: Exactly. Consider how the act of circulating this coin reinforced Roman power and economic structures. It's a small object carrying immense weight. Editor: That really shifts my perspective. I hadn't considered the coin as a product of so much labor and a vehicle for cultural ideas. Curator: Examining materiality in art allows us to connect with the past in very tangible ways.