AR Elagabalus 

Curator: This is a silver coin, weighing just under 3 grams, featuring the Roman Emperor Elagabalus. Editor: There's something stark about its simplicity. The way the silver has worn away suggests the passage of hands—and time. Curator: Absolutely. Elagabalus's reign was marked by religious upheaval; he attempted to supplant the traditional Roman pantheon with his solar deity. This coin would have served as a propaganda piece, embedding that shift into everyday exchange. Editor: I'm struck by the bas relief of the portrait. It seems almost flattened, which emphasizes the sharp lines defining his profile. Curator: Right, and look at the reverse side of the coin. The eagle is thought to represent the sun god, or Jupiter, reflecting a syncretism or blending of different religious beliefs. Editor: It makes you consider the weight of symbols. Such a small, tactile object carrying such cultural and political power. Curator: A reminder that even the smallest artifacts can tell sweeping stories of cultural change. Editor: Indeed. A powerful image, condensed.