Coin of Botrys under Elagabalus c. 218 - 219

Curator: This is a coin from Botrys, minted during the reign of Elagabalus. The fact that we still have it is amazing. Editor: It’s striking how worn it is, isn’t it? You really get a sense of its age, its journey through time. A powerful symbol of currency and power. Curator: Absolutely. Elagabalus, a controversial emperor, associated himself with the sun god. Coins like this one served as potent symbols of his reign and ideology, circulated amongst the people. Editor: Knowing Elagabalus's reputation, it's hard not to read this coin as an emblem of unchecked authority and cultural disruption. It really prompts questions about how power intersects with cultural identity. Curator: Indeed, and its survival is a testament to the enduring power of symbols, carrying complex histories and interpretations with them through the ages. Editor: Yes, thinking about its symbolism, and the person it represented, I can't help but wonder what stories it carries from its time.