Coin of Isaura under Julia Domna c. 193 - 217

Curator: This coin, minted in Isaura, features Julia Domna, wife of Emperor Septimius Severus. It's incredible to hold something so small, yet so connected to the vastness of Roman history. Editor: It has this wonderful, weighty feel—doesn't it? Like holding a small piece of a dream. The imagery—though worn—still whispers of power and legacy. Curator: Absolutely. And the coin itself serves as a symbol. Domna, as empress, was herself a powerful symbol, representing stability and continuity within the empire. It shows how female figures were used symbolically. Editor: The corrosion only adds to that, strangely. It makes me think of the layers of history we all carry with us, like the patina on this coin. Scars and all. Curator: I find it poignant that something created to project imperial power is now so fragile, whispering stories only to those who listen closely. Editor: Yes, each of us brings our own unique interpretations, adding to the layers of meaning embedded in this object. It becomes a mirror reflecting back.