Coin of Sagalassos under Elagabalus 218 - 222

Editor: This is a coin of Sagalassos under Elagabalus from the Harvard Art Museums. It looks quite worn, with visible verdigris. What kind of stories can a humble coin like this tell us? Curator: Coins were powerful symbols, especially during the reign of someone as controversial as Elagabalus. Do you notice anything about the imagery on either side? Editor: On one side, it seems to depict a portrait of Elagabalus himself. The other side, I can't quite make it out. Curator: The figure on the reverse could be a deity, perhaps connected to Sagalassos or even Elagabalus's own solar cult. The coin connects the emperor's image with local religious traditions, imprinting his authority onto the cultural memory of Sagalassos. Editor: So it's more than just currency, it's a cultural artifact. Curator: Precisely. It embodies the intersection of power, religion, and cultural identity. Examining such artifacts offers insights into the continuity and manipulation of symbols across time.