Coin of Petra under Elagabulus c. 218 - 222

Curator: This is a coin of Petra under Elagabalus, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs around 7.47 grams. Editor: It has a weathered look, a deep verdigris—you can almost feel the weight of history and use. What material is it? Curator: Likely bronze, a common material for coinage in that era. The images and text would have been carefully die-struck. Editor: I wonder about the hands that cast this coin, the labor that went into each piece, and how this object participated in the economy of ancient Petra. Curator: Indeed, coins like this provide crucial insight into the political power structures, patronage, and religious affiliations of the time. Editor: A tangible artifact linking the labor of crafting to the grand narrative. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. It’s always fascinating to see history rendered so materially.