Coin of Alexandreia Troas under Valerian I c. 253 - 260

Curator: This is a coin from Alexandreia Troas under the reign of Valerian I. It's a small object, just 4.88 grams, but packed with history. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the wear and tear. It feels incredibly intimate to hold something that’s passed through so many hands, seen so much. Curator: Coins were powerful tools of propaganda and identity, circulating images of the emperor and symbols of the state far and wide. This one would have reinforced Valerian’s authority throughout the region. Editor: The wolf looks like it is grazing, so it reminds me of quiet evenings and rural landscapes, a world away from imperial politics. It really brings the past to life. Curator: Indeed, it's a snapshot of life in Roman Asia Minor, blending imperial power with local iconography. Editor: Yes, it’s funny how something so small can hold so much, isn’t it? I can almost smell the marketplace.