Coin of the Laodiceia-Pergamon Alliance under Caracalla c. 188 - 217

Curator: Up next, we have a glimpse into ancient alliances—a bronze coin, approximately 13.92 grams, minted under Caracalla. It commemorates the union between Laodicea and Pergamon. Editor: It strikes me as tactile, worn smooth through the touch of countless hands. You can almost feel the weight of history in the material itself. Curator: Indeed. The material speaks to its function as currency, but consider also the iconography. Note the deliberate placement of figures and inscriptions. Editor: I wonder about the labor involved in minting these. The repetitive actions, the skills passed down. It's more than just an image; it's a product of its time. Curator: I see it more as an emblem, a symbolic construction of power and unity meticulously crafted within a circular format, reflecting the emperor's vision. Editor: But that vision was pressed into being. Bronze chosen, shaped, and circulated by people. Curator: A fascinating object to contemplate. Editor: Indeed, from so small a thing, so much to consider.