As of Elagabalus 

Curator: This is a copper coin depicting Elagabalus, a Roman emperor. The piece is held in the collection of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's incredible how much history is held in this small, unassuming disc. There's a real weight to it. Curator: Indeed. Examining the material composition, the copper from which it's made, offers insight into the economic conditions and metalworking practices of the time. Editor: I see the ghost of an emperor, brought to life through the patient hand of a craftsman and the brute force of industrialization. Curator: The production of such a coin was integral to the functioning and promotion of Roman authority. Editor: Gazing at it makes me wonder about the hands it has passed through, what stories could it tell? Curator: A fitting question to ponder as we reflect on Elagabalus' complex, if brief, reign.