Denarius of L.? Marcius Philippus, Rome (plated) c. 56 BCE

Editor: This is a plated denarius from Rome, created by L.? Marcius Philippus. It's tiny, and visibly worn, but I'm curious about its function. What can you tell me about the making and usage of this coin? Curator: Well, its production highlights the Roman understanding of value as tied to material. The plating suggests an attempt to mimic wealth. Consider who controlled the production and distribution of such 'money' and how it shaped social power. Editor: That's a great point. So, its creation tells us about Roman economy and societal hierarchy? Thanks. Curator: Precisely. It’s a material record of economic practices and potentially, economic disparity.