Denarius of L. Procilius, Rome c. 80 BCE

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of L. Procilius from Rome, crafted by the moneyer L. Procilius. It's fascinating how something so small and made of metal could hold such cultural weight. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: The coin’s value comes from its materiality and the labor involved in its creation, not just its face value. What do the images on it suggest about Roman society, its values, and its economic systems? Editor: I notice the detailed portrait. Does it represent someone specific, and how would that influence its circulation and acceptance? Curator: The portrait and imagery are intrinsically linked to power and social constructs. How does the coin as a commodity reflect the distribution of power in Roman society? Its silver content also speaks to economic control. Editor: That's a really interesting point; I hadn't thought about the silver itself as a symbol of power. Thanks for the insight! Curator: Considering the coin as a product of labor and a symbol of economic control opens up interesting avenues for interpretation.