Denarius of Julia Domna c. 196 - 211

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's aged, definitely seen better days. I am struck by the smallness of the object. Curator: As currency, it would have facilitated the movement of goods, labor, and resources across the empire. The production of these coins also reflects Roman administration. Editor: And Julia Domna herself, elevated through marriage, now immortalized on currency—a powerful image of imperial femininity and influence. The very act of minting validates her status. Curator: Absolutely. It underscores the political economy of image-making and the material realities that shape our understanding of power. Editor: Seeing it now, though, it is a reminder of the constant negotiation of power, gender, and representation in ancient Rome. Curator: Indeed, a tiny artifact reveals so much. Editor: So much history and meaning contained in one small coin.