Coin of Ephesos 

Curator: This is a bronze coin minted in Ephesos during the reign of Valerian I. Just holding it, weighing in at 4.72 grams, gives you a sense of its age. Editor: It's true; even in this image, there's a palpable feeling of weight and history. The wear on the coin speaks volumes about its journey through time. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like these served as crucial tools for Roman imperial messaging. What narratives were being pushed in its design? What power structures were reinforced through its circulation? Editor: It's intriguing to consider how this small object might have shaped the everyday lives and perceptions of the people who used it. Currency is always so much more than legal tender. Curator: The portraits of emperors, rendered through such controlled circulation, were powerful symbols, especially considering the varying degrees of civic participation across the Roman Empire. Editor: Indeed, and it's a potent reminder that even something seemingly insignificant can tell us so much about the social and political landscape of its time. Curator: Exactly. I think these little things have massive stories to tell. Editor: Definitely, there is something very fascinating about that concept.