Coin of Mytilene under Julia Domna c. 2th - 3th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Mytilene under Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, at the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, about 3.83 grams, and appears heavily worn. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the production. Who mined the metal, and under what conditions? Who designed the dies, struck the coins, and controlled their distribution? These laborers are often absent from art history, yet their work is essential to understand the object's value and circulation. Editor: So, you're saying the coin is more than just an image of Julia Domna? Curator: Exactly! The coin embodies Roman imperial power through its very materiality. How does its physicality connect to the social and economic structures of the time? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective, it really shifts how you view something like this. Curator: Indeed, by focusing on materials and production, we can uncover hidden stories and challenge traditional notions of art.