Coin of Laodikeia ad Lycum under Elagabalus c. 218 - 222

Editor: This is a bronze coin from Laodikeia ad Lycum under Elagabalus, currently at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s amazing how much history can be held in such a small object. What can you tell me about it? Curator: It's fascinating to consider this coin not just as currency but as a product of Roman imperial power. The very act of minting coins reflects control over resources and labor. Editor: How so? Curator: Think about it: Who controlled the mines that yielded the metal? Who designed the dies, and what was the social status of the artisans crafting these objects? The coin itself becomes a miniature monument to that system. This piece isn’t just money; it’s material evidence of Roman imperial infrastructure. Editor: I never thought about it that way, as more than just money. Curator: Right? Seeing the object through a material lens highlights the complex network of power and production embedded within it.