Denarius of Elagabalus c. 220 - 222

Editor: So, this is a Denarius, a silver coin, minted under Elagabalus. It feels so small and worn, yet it's survived all this time! What can you tell me about the materiality of this coin? Curator: Its silver composition speaks volumes about Roman economics and power. The minting process itself, the labor involved, the control over resources – these reflect the emperor's authority and how that authority touched everyday life and trade. Consider the circulation, the hands it passed through. Editor: That's fascinating! Did the value of the silver relate to its purchasing power? Curator: Absolutely. The coin's intrinsic value and its stamped value were intertwined with the social and political stability of the time. Debasement, or reducing the silver content, was often a sign of economic crisis and political instability. It's not just an object, but a material record of consumption, production, and imperial control. Editor: I see it now. It's more than just a portrait; it's a piece of Roman history made tangible through its material.