Coin of Juba II of Mauretania c. 15 - 23

Editor: Here we have a coin of Juba II of Mauretania, residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It has a lovely green patina. I'm curious about what makes this object more than just currency. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This isn’t just about iconography, but about production. What materials were available? Who controlled the mines? What labor was involved in extracting, refining, striking? These are crucial questions to ask. Editor: So, by analyzing the coin’s materiality, we can understand more about the society that produced it? Curator: Precisely! The coin tells a story of resource management and labor practices. Editor: I never thought of it that way. Thanks for expanding my view!