Coins represent much more than a token of monetary value. They tell a story. Nearly every Roman ruler issued many coins of various sizes that reflected the confidence, stability, and standardization of his reign, and the inscriptions reflected the hopes and fears of the time. This exciting, interdisciplinary unit uses Roman coins to introduce the chemistry of copper. As students clean, examine, and research the coins, they learn about copper compounds, coin history, and Roman history. In addition, students utilize critical thinking skills to write fictional stories about where their coins have been.