AE Julia Mamaea 

Curator: This coin, "AE Julia Mamaea," residing here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a compelling study in miniature portraiture. Editor: It looks like it has been through a lot. The patina speaks to age, but there is an undeniable intimacy here; almost a touch of human warmth despite its state. Curator: Absolutely. Note the careful detailing in Mamaea's coiffure and the surrounding text, all carefully considered within the coin's circular frame. The figure on the reverse embodies the power of statecraft. Editor: I'm drawn to the material transformation, from raw metal to a symbol of wealth and power, constantly circulating, changing hands, literally embodying the economy. The wear and tear speaks to that continuous exchange. Curator: The formal constraints – size, shape, material – dictated a precise visual language, speaking directly to the viewer about the empire's strength and values. Editor: Seeing the effects of time makes you consider the hands it has passed through, the pockets it has been in, a tangible connection to a distant past. Curator: The coin offers a concise articulation of imperial authority. Editor: And a reminder of the enduring power of material objects to carry history.