Coin of Amphipolis under Caracalla c. 196 - 217

Curator: This is a coin of Amphipolis, created during the reign of Caracalla. The weight is 6.13 grams. What is your initial take? Editor: Immediately I'm struck by its aged surface, a tangible link to the production processes and material conditions of the time. It looks almost like a worn stone. Curator: It’s amazing to consider how Caracalla might have utilized this coin as a tool of power, reinforcing his identity and authority within the Roman Empire. Editor: Absolutely, the deliberate act of minting a coin is a statement of authority. We should consider who controlled the mines, the metalworkers, and the distribution. Curator: Indeed. Its existence opens a dialogue about social identity and the political frameworks of the era. This coin as a symbol of dominance. Editor: Thinking about the processes that went into its creation makes its historical context that much more compelling. Curator: Agreed. The coin certainly offers powerful insights into labor and the social fabric of its time. Editor: It's a testament to the power that lies within small objects.