Coin of Hierapolis under Lucius Verus c. 161 - 169

Curator: This is a coin from Hierapolis, struck during the reign of Lucius Verus. Its worn surface speaks volumes. Editor: It feels like holding a fragment of an ancient narrative, weighty with time and the countless hands it must have passed through. Curator: Indeed. Coins are fascinating as deliberately circulated symbols. The imagery chosen reflects the values and power structures the issuer wants to project. Editor: I'm drawn to the faint image on this coin, can you make out which symbols would have been used in Hierapolis? Curator: It's difficult to discern the precise imagery given the coin's condition. But consider this: Each image, each letter, was intentionally placed to convey legitimacy and reinforce the emperor's authority. Editor: It’s amazing to consider how such a small object served as a form of propaganda, shaping public perception across a vast empire. Curator: Precisely, and the wear and tear it shows only adds to its significance. It's a tangible link to the past, whispering stories of emperors and everyday life. Editor: It really makes you wonder about the people who used it, doesn't it?