Coin of Thyateira under Julia Domna c. 193 - 211

Curator: Here we have a coin from Thyateira issued under Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus. Currently, it resides at the Harvard Art Museums and weighs almost 17 grams. Editor: Well, my first thought? It looks like it's been through something. The dark patina gives it such a weight, both literally and figuratively. I see wear, stories etched into the surface. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like this offer a fascinating glimpse into the socio-political landscape of the Roman Empire. They were not just currency but also instruments of imperial propaganda. Editor: Almost like tiny billboards! But imagine holding it, the fingers that touched it centuries ago. It's a tangible link to the past, however small. Curator: Indeed. And beyond its symbolic value, the coin's material and craftsmanship reflect the economic conditions and artistic conventions of the time. Editor: It's almost haunting, isn't it? A whisper of power and everyday life, all in one little circle. Curator: Precisely, and that's the enduring appeal of objects like this, they bridge the gap between history and personal experience.