Coin of Anazarbus under Valerian I c. 253 - 254

Editor: This is a coin of Anazarbus, during the reign of Valerian I. The wear on this object speaks to its age. What symbols stand out to you? Curator: Well, consider the portrait of Valerian. It presents not merely an individual, but the *idea* of imperial authority, linking him to predecessors through stylistic choices. How does this image, repeated across countless coins, shape public perception? Editor: So it's like a continuous projection of power? Curator: Precisely. And the city's symbol on the reverse, repeated across their coinage - what does it tell us about Anazarbus's aspirations and identity within the vast Roman Empire? It’s a dialogue between local and imperial power. Editor: I see it. It's a dense little package of symbolism. Thanks!