Aureus of Julia Domna, Rome c. 198 - 209

Editor: Here we have an Aureus coin of Julia Domna. It's striking that such a small object, made of gold, could represent such power. What significance do you see in this piece? Curator: The Aureus embodies the Roman economy, connecting value and authority through material. Consider the labor to extract and process the gold itself, the skilled craftspeople who struck the die, and how its circulation reinforced imperial power. Editor: So, it is more than just a pretty coin? Curator: Precisely. The gold represents a complex web of production, control, and social relations. This seemingly simple object can offer insight into Roman society. Editor: That’s fascinating. I never considered all the work that went into creating one coin.