Coin (AE35.5) of Cremna under Julia Domna 190 - 211

Curator: The weight and wear tell such a story, don’t they? You can almost feel the commerce it facilitated. Editor: This is a bronze coin from Cremna, issued under Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus. The Harvard Art Museums hold this small but mighty object. Curator: Julia Domna, always powerful. What strikes me is the way the three figures on the reverse interlock. Are they the three graces? Editor: Possibly! Grouped figures like that are rife with meaning, pointing to societal values and lineage. Given that this was made in Cremna, the imagery would’ve resonated with a specific audience. Curator: Definitely. Think of the die-making, the materials—this wasn't simply plucked from the earth. It represents a carefully orchestrated process. Editor: Precisely, its symbolism is intertwined with the entire system of labor and exchange. A material object that speaks volumes about cultural priorities. Curator: Indeed, a potent reminder that objects are never simply objects; they are embodiments of cultural memory. Editor: Absolutely. It's a tiny thing, but the story of its making and use is incredibly complex.