Coin of Antioch under Elagabalus c. 218 - 222

Curator: Look at the patina, the almost uniform darkness across the relief. It speaks of time, doesn't it? Editor: It does. We're viewing a coin minted in Antioch under the reign of Elagabalus. Given its weight of 17.26 grams, it provides a glimpse into the economic and political landscape of that era. Curator: And what an era it was! Elagabalus, the boy emperor, known for his eccentricities. The coin itself is a study in contrasts: the sharp lines of the emperor's profile versus the worn texture. Editor: Absolutely. The portrait, though weathered, still projects a certain authority. Coins like these were vital propaganda tools, circulating images and messages of power throughout the empire. Curator: The very materiality of the coin intrigues me. The debasement of the metal, its size and shape, they all communicate something about the power, or lack thereof, during Elagabalus's reign. Editor: Indeed, and considering Elagabalus's tumultuous rule, this coin serves as a tangible reminder of his place in the grand narrative of Roman history. Curator: A fascinating object when we think of the intersection between surface and depth! Editor: I concur. It's a small object that carries immense historical weight.