Denarius of Elagabalus c. 220 - 222

Curator: Here we have a denarius, a Roman silver coin, attributed to the reign of Elagabalus. It's quite small, just over two grams. Editor: It feels surprisingly weighty, doesn’t it? I mean, not physically, but the implications of something so small having such power. Who gets their face on the money? Curator: Exactly. The craftsmanship here, the pressing of the metal, speaks to a whole system of labor and production—from the mines to the mint. Editor: And on one side, the emperor's profile—stern, almost melancholic. I wonder what story it could tell. Curator: Perhaps of a young ruler, barely more than a boy, grappling with the weight of empire. Editor: It is interesting how the production of currency ties labor, power and consumption together in such a small object. Curator: Indeed, it's a tactile piece of history in your pocket.