Denarius of Elagabalus c. 219

Curator: This is a Denarius of Elagabalus from the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a small silver coin. Editor: It feels worn, almost haunted, like holding a whisper of history. Curator: Minting these coins was all about projecting power, legitimizing the emperor, and facilitating trade. The material, silver, indicates its value and its function within the economy. Editor: That profile – so severe, so detached. It makes you wonder about the person behind the imperial image. Curator: The production of these coins involved a complex system of labor and resource management. Its existence offers insight into ancient Roman economics and social structures. Editor: Just think of all the hands this little coin has passed through! Incredible to ponder. Curator: Indeed. Studying coins provides us with insights into ancient production and social relations. Editor: A fascinating, tangible link to a distant past.