Coin of Numidia and Mauretania under Juba II c. 8 - 15

Curator: Here we have a coin from Numidia and Mauretania, minted under the rule of Juba II. Editor: It looks like it's seen better days! The color has shifted to a gorgeous dark chocolate with a bit of verdigris. Curator: Indeed. This coin offers a fascinating glimpse into the interconnectedness of ancient North African kingdoms and the Roman Empire. Juba II, a scholarly king, was placed on the throne by Augustus. Editor: It feels intimate to see this coin, as if I'm holding a tiny piece of an empire in my hand. It really makes you think about how much power and history is imbued in these things. Curator: Absolutely. And its presence here at Harvard speaks to the enduring value we place on objects that carry this history. Editor: I like to think of all the hands it passed through, each imprint adding to its story. It’s like a silent poem.