AE Julia Mamaea 

Curator: This is a bronze coin featuring Julia Mamaea, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the patina of age, a visible history etched onto the metal. It feels incredibly tactile, despite being behind glass. Curator: Coins were like miniature billboards. The portrait of Julia Mamaea speaks to the powerful women in Roman history. She was a shrewd political player and mother to Emperor Severus Alexander. Editor: Absolutely. It's fascinating how these small objects were used to disseminate power and project an image of imperial authority. It makes me wonder about the everyday lives of the people who handled this coin. Curator: Precisely. Symbols create continuity. Every detail was carefully chosen to convey legitimacy, prosperity and divine favor. It ensured lasting legacy. Editor: True, the imagery naturalizes and reinforces hierarchies, but it's a poignant reminder of how the past persists into the present. Curator: Indeed, and the coin’s survival is a testament to the enduring power of symbols. Editor: A tangible link to a complex past. Food for thought.