Sestertius of Julia Mamaea 224

Curator: Here we have a sestertius of Julia Mamaea, residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The coin itself weighs just over 18 grams. Editor: The patina immediately draws the eye – that distinctive verdigris speaks of centuries buried, a hidden narrative etched onto its surface. Curator: Indeed. Roman coinage served as potent propaganda. Julia Mamaea, mother of Emperor Severus Alexander, wielded considerable influence. These coins would have circulated throughout the Empire. Editor: The portrait is fascinating – the severe hairstyle, the determined profile. What was she communicating through this image? A message of strength? Of piety? Curator: Probably both. A ruler's image was carefully constructed to project legitimacy and project specific virtues. The coin would have been a tangible symbol of Roman power and imperial ideology. Editor: It is a potent reminder that symbols persist, long after the political realities shift. A frozen image capturing a moment of power and influence. Curator: A reminder that even something small can tell a grand story about society and power.