Coin of Thessalonike under the Emperor Septimius Severus c. 2th - 3th century

Editor: This is a Coin of Thessalonike under the Emperor Septimius Severus. The materiality speaks volumes about trade and governance. What do you see in this piece, considering its economic function? Curator: This coin, beyond its face value, reveals the labor and resources extracted to produce it. The very act of minting standardizes value, facilitating exchange but also consolidating power through control of production. Consider the social implications embedded in this object. Editor: So, it's not just about the image of the Emperor, but about the economic system that made it possible? Curator: Precisely! It highlights the complex relationship between art, labor, and economic systems in ancient societies, a potent symbol of Roman authority made manifest through materiality. Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn't considered before. It makes me think about the labor involved in obtaining the metal and the political implications of circulating currency. Curator: Exactly. Materiality is power.