Coin of Sala under Elagabalus c. 218 - 222

Curator: The artifact before us is a "Coin of Sala under Elagabalus," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s remarkably tactile, even just looking at it. The patina gives it a kind of weathered depth. Curator: These coins weren’t just currency, of course. They were propaganda, circulating imperial imagery and influence. Editor: Notice how the circular form itself becomes a frame, compressing power into a portable object. Curator: Exactly! Elagabalus’s reign was controversial, and these coins played a vital role in projecting his desired image. Editor: But does the wear and tear undermine that intention? Is it still effective, given its current state? Curator: Perhaps. Though, even now, its survival speaks volumes about enduring power, doesn't it? Editor: I think I see it now.