Coin of Iconium under Gallienus c. 253 - 268

Editor: Here we have a coin of Iconium under Gallienus. The wear on the metal suggests a long history of circulation. What can you tell me about the production and societal function of such a coin? Curator: The coin's materiality speaks volumes. Consider the mining, smelting, and minting processes. How did the labor and resources shape its value and message? Editor: So, it’s not just about the image of Gallienus, but also the processes by which it became a coin? Curator: Exactly. The coin is a testament to economic and political systems. Who controlled the metal, and who profited from its circulation? These are key questions for a materialist reading. What do you think? Editor: That really shifts my understanding of ancient coins from just historical artifacts to tangible nodes within complex networks of power and production. Curator: Precisely, and that perspective helps us understand the world in which the coin circulated!