Coin of Thessalonike under the Empress Julia Mamaea c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Thessalonike under the Empress Julia Mamaea, and it’s aged beautifully, or perhaps corrosively, depending on your perspective! What symbols do you see embedded within this little piece of history? Curator: The coin whispers of power, doesn't it? Consider the portrait of Julia Mamaea—the image itself is a deliberate act. What does it signify to have her likeness stamped onto currency circulating through Thessalonike? Editor: I suppose it’s a way of projecting her influence and authority. Curator: Precisely. Coins weren't just money; they were potent tools of propaganda. They offer continuity and memory. What stories do you imagine these symbols told the people of that time? Editor: I guess it was a constant reminder of the ruling empire and its figures. Thanks, that really makes me see it in a new light.