Coin of Arados under Elagabalus c. 218 - 222

Curator: Looking at this coin of Arados under Elagabalus, I immediately think about circulation, trade routes, and imperial power. It’s a tangible link to a specific moment. Editor: The oxidation is striking; that verdigris speaks volumes about the slow material transformation wrought by time and environmental factors on this base metal. Curator: Absolutely. It's more than just metal; it's a political statement. This coin would have been handled by countless people, legitimizing Elagabalus's reign through everyday transactions. Editor: And consider the labor – the mining, smelting, and striking of these coins. A whole economic system supported the production of these small objects. Curator: How the image on the coin presents authority is interesting, influencing and reinforcing cultural beliefs of the era. Editor: Exactly. A coin like this offers a ground-level view of Roman imperial economics and material culture that textbooks often overlook. Curator: A point well made, highlighting how the role of the materials and production intersect with the coin's historical impact. Editor: Indeed, a fascinating look at history through its materiality.