Coin of Julia Mamaea 228

Curator: This object is a coin featuring Julia Mamaea, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's incredible to consider the historical weight this small object carries. The verdigris patina speaks volumes about time and change. Curator: Indeed. As the mother of Emperor Severus Alexander, Julia Mamaea was a powerful figure. Coins like this one served as propaganda, reinforcing the image of the ruling family. Editor: Yes, and a woman’s image on a coin—what power dynamics are at play here? It challenges traditional gender roles, but also reinforces imperial authority. Curator: Precisely. The imagery on this coin reflects her role as a mother of the emperor, linking her to notions of prosperity and succession. Editor: I’m struck by the idea that something so worn could tell such a complex story of power, gender, and cultural memory. Curator: It makes you wonder about the lives this coin has touched across centuries.