Coin of Gabala under Caracalla c. 188 - 217

Editor: This is a bronze coin from Gabala under Caracalla, weighing just under 8 grams, residing in the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes me is the way the imagery has been worn over time, almost like palimpsest. What do you make of it? Curator: Consider how this coin isn’t just currency; it's a vessel of cultural memory. The portrait of Caracalla, though weathered, embodies Roman power. What symbolic weight did that image carry for the people of Gabala, a city under Roman rule? Editor: So, it's not just about the monetary value, but about the symbolic power of the ruler's image? Curator: Precisely. The coin is a tangible link to a complex historical relationship, a reminder of Roman authority and cultural influence. Editor: That's fascinating. It puts the coin into a completely different perspective. Curator: Indeed. Visual symbols have power.