Coin of Sagalassos under Trajan Decius c. 249 - 251

Curator: This is a coin from Sagalassos, dating to the rule of the Roman Emperor Trajan Decius, which weighs 8.76 grams. Editor: It's heavily patinated, a gorgeous verdigris. It evokes such a strong sense of age and buried history. Curator: Absolutely. The condition speaks volumes about its journey through time and various hands, underscoring the historical context of Sagalassos within the Roman Empire. Editor: I am intrigued by the iconography of the figures depicted; they seem to represent power but also an element of local identity. Curator: That's right, it highlights the Roman administration's efforts to integrate local narratives into their broader imperial imagery. It's a cultural negotiation. Editor: It's quite moving to consider the continuity of symbolic language through such a small object; it becomes a powerful link. Curator: Indeed, it makes you ponder the economics and power dynamics embedded in such coinage. Editor: A humble coin opens up such expansive avenues of thought!