Denarius of Julia Mamaea c. 222

Curator: What strikes me first about this Denarius of Julia Mamaea, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums, is how incredibly tactile it appears, despite its age. Editor: It is a tangible link to the past, isn't it? It reflects more than just monetary value. It tells the story of Julia Mamaea's place in the political landscape. Curator: Indeed. The portrait bust, rendered in such low relief, carries a certain dignity, almost severity. The circular format emphasizes the contained, self-referential nature of power. Editor: And what about the reverse, the depiction of a deity? It underscores how the Roman Empire integrated religious legitimacy with its governance, using these images to disseminate power structures. Curator: The patina of age, the wear and tear, it's all part of the object's semiotic weight. Each imperfection is a mark of its journey through history. Editor: Yes, and each coin that circulated was a propaganda piece, shaping public perception and cementing imperial authority. It's a fascinating artifact of social control. Curator: Quite right. It encapsulates the intersection of art, power, and history in a strikingly compact form. Editor: Exactly, this small coin opens up a vast discussion.