Sestertius of Julia Mamaea 228

Editor: Here we have the Sestertius of Julia Mamaea, a hefty coin on display at the Harvard Art Museums. Its weathered copper makes me wonder about the hands it's passed through. What can you tell us about the materials and methods used to make this object? Curator: The coin speaks volumes about Roman industry. Consider the mining of copper, the labor of the mint workers, the very act of stamping an image into the metal – all reflecting power structures and economic realities. It's not just currency; it is condensed labor and Roman material culture. Editor: So, it is less about the image and more about the physical making of the coin? Curator: Precisely! The wear and tear even tell a story of use, trade, and the very physicality of exchange. We're not just looking at a portrait, but a commodity imbued with cultural and economic significance. Editor: That's a different perspective; I will definitely be paying more attention to the material in the future. Curator: Indeed, by understanding materiality, we gain insight into the culture of production and consumption.