Coin of Orthosia under Elagabalus c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a coin of Orthosia under Elagabalus, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It appears incredibly worn, almost to the point of abstraction. The details are very faint. Curator: Indeed, its material tells a tale of political and economic forces at play during Elagabalus’s reign. Coinage was a crucial tool for projecting imperial power. Editor: Though the details are soft, there's still a distinct circular form. I'm curious about the composition of the figures and their relationship to the edge. Curator: It’s fascinating how such a small object held such significant weight. This coin offers a glimpse into the visual propaganda of the Roman Empire. Editor: Despite its condition, the coin retains a certain tactile quality. One can't help but wonder about the hands it passed through. Curator: Examining this coin, we can learn a great deal about the political agenda of the time. Editor: Agreed; the decay creates a new aesthetic that merges history with the present.