Coin of Edessa under Elagabalus c. 3th century

Editor: We're looking at a coin from Edessa under Elagabalus, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels almost ghostly, like a memory fading. What symbols do you see embedded in this artifact? Curator: The images on this coin become cultural shorthand. Consider the portrait of Elagabalus. What does it tell us about how he wished to be perceived, or more accurately, how he wished to project power? Editor: So, you're saying the coin isn't just currency; it's a carefully constructed message? Curator: Precisely. The imagery, though worn, speaks to the emperor's ambition and a need to legitimize his rule through recognizable symbols. It reveals the cultural memory they wanted to instill. Editor: That's a different way of thinking about it. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Coins offer a tangible connection to the past, carrying layers of meaning.