Denarius of Julia Domna, Rome c. 198 - 209

Editor: Here we have a denarius of Julia Domna from Rome. The artist is Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus. It is really quite small and intricate. What strikes you about it? Curator: Consider first the medium: silver. Its reflective quality interacts with light, enhancing the sculpted relief. Notice how the artist has used the limited space to create depth, particularly in the drapery of the figures on the reverse. Editor: The details are amazing, considering its size! It gives me a new appreciation for the artistry involved. Curator: Indeed. The precise execution and balanced composition are aesthetically compelling, independent of the coin’s historical significance. These intrinsic qualities are what truly define its artistic merit.