Coin of Mytilene under Elagabalus c. 3th century

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this coin from Mytilene, minted during the reign of Elagabalus, weighing roughly 20 grams. Editor: It’s beautiful, in a worn sort of way. I get a sense of something ancient, valuable but overlooked. It’s like finding a lost secret. Curator: Absolutely. Elagabalus, known for his controversial reign, is depicted on one side, while the reverse displays a figure associated with Mytilene. This coin offers insights into the emperor's image and the cultural landscape of the time. Editor: The figure on the back almost looks trapped within the metal, like a memory struggling to break free. Is it meant to be a god or goddess? Curator: Likely a deity venerated in Mytilene, perhaps connected to the city's prosperity or identity. This coin is a nexus point, linking imperial power, local beliefs, and the economics of everyday life. Editor: It's amazing how one small object can hold so much history! It makes you wonder who held this coin, what it bought, what stories it could tell. Curator: Indeed. Examining such artifacts allows us to weave narratives that acknowledge the complexities of identity, power, and representation in the Roman world. Editor: I’ll definitely look at coins differently now, seeing them as little time capsules rather than just pocket change.