Coin of Irenopolis under Caracalla c. 212 - 213

Editor: This is a coin of Irenopolis, from the time of Caracalla. Looking at it now, I’m struck by its materiality – the worn metal, the visible signs of age and use. What can we understand by looking at this object? Curator: It's fascinating to consider how this coin embodies power. Who controlled the resources to mint it? What labor went into its production, and who benefited from its circulation? How did its material value shape social relations? Editor: So, it's not just about the image, but the whole process. Curator: Precisely. The coin is a product of specific social and economic forces. Think about the access to metals, the skills of the minters, and the political will to put Caracalla's image into everyday exchange. Editor: I hadn't considered all of that. Thanks! Curator: It shows how even small objects can reveal larger systems of production and power.