Dimensions 27.3 g
Editor: Here we have the Sestertius of Caracalla, a bronze coin. The wear and tear on this piece are striking; it really speaks to the hands it must have passed through. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The coin's materiality tells a story of empire. Consider the labor extracted to mine the copper, the workshops producing these in mass quantities. It flattens the hierarchy between artwork and everyday object, as it represents the mode of production and consumption. Editor: So, its value lies in its mass production? Curator: Precisely. It reveals how the Roman state controlled resources, labor, and even the image of its ruler, all for the sake of solidifying power and projecting its dominance. What do you make of it now? Editor: I see it as a symbol of Roman ambition made material through industry and societal infrastructure. Thanks!
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