Coin of Eusebeia-Caesarea under Lucius Verus c. 2th century

Curator: Up next we have a coin of Eusebeia-Caesarea, issued under Lucius Verus. It weighs just over 7 grams. Editor: The surfaces are heavily worn, and it gives the coin a somewhat ghostly, antique quality. Curator: Indeed. The wear only adds to the feeling that this was a medium of exchange for centuries. The portrait, likely Lucius Verus himself, embodies power and authority as it circulated. Editor: The wear patterns are themselves an accidental form of historical record. Where did this coin travel, and who handled it? What stories might it tell about ancient commerce and governance? Curator: The eagle on the reverse side is also quite evocative, representing not only imperial power but also, in the broader cultural context, the divine. Editor: It's a potent symbol, yes, but consider, too, how such imagery served to legitimize the emperor's rule and perpetuate existing power structures. Curator: A fascinating artifact that bridges the gap between symbolic representation and tangible history. Editor: Absolutely. The coin encourages us to question whose stories are preserved and whose voices are silenced by the dominant narratives.