Coin of Thessalonike under Julia Domna c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: Well, isn't she lovely? This coin of Thessalonike features Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus. What do you think of it? Editor: It looks aged, almost like a forgotten relic, but the form and material remind me of the labour behind ancient economies and trade. Curator: Absolutely. It speaks to the production of power. Julia Domna was a powerful woman. I see in her gaze a kind of quiet strength, worn smooth by time, by the very act of being exchanged. Editor: Right, and the copper alloy, its weight and size, dictated its value. It also reflects the local craftsmanship and the availability of materials in that region. It's a tangible link to their economic system. Curator: I can almost feel the hands that held it, the stories this little coin could tell. Editor: Indeed. It is a symbol of an age, not just a face.