Coin of Mallos under Valerian I c. 253 - 260

Curator: This is a coin of Mallos dating back to the reign of Valerian I. The ravages of time lend it a sombre feel. Editor: Sombre, yes, but also a powerful testament to endurance. What stories it could tell about power, trade, and the everyday lives of people living under the Roman Empire. Curator: Absolutely. Notice how the emperor’s portrait on one side evokes Roman authority, while the imagery on the reverse hints at local Mallian traditions and beliefs. The coin embodies the negotiated relationship between Roman imperial power and local identities. Editor: And perhaps even resistance. Coins are not just about value; they also served as vehicles for conveying propaganda and reinforcing social hierarchies. Who was empowered, and who was excluded? Curator: It’s a fascinating object, small in size but immense in the cultural echoes it holds. Editor: Indeed; it invites us to consider whose stories we are not hearing within the grand narrative of empires.