Denarius of Julia Maesa 218 - 223

Curator: This is a Denarius of Julia Maesa, created under the authority of Elagabalus. It's a small but potent artifact from the Roman Empire. Editor: Wow, this coin feels like a little portal back in time. It's aged, but the detail still holds up. Curator: Indeed. It offers a glimpse into the power dynamics and imperial image-making of the era, especially concerning women in positions of influence. Julia Maesa was, after all, instrumental in placing her grandsons on the throne. Editor: I can see that in her stern, almost unforgiving, portrait. The other side seems to show a goddess? Maybe a symbol of propaganda? Curator: Precisely. The reverse likely depicts a deity associated with abundance or victory, reinforcing the emperor’s claim to power and divine favor. These coins were so much more than currency; they were instruments of political messaging. Editor: So much history packed into this tiny metal canvas! Makes me wonder what it bought, what hands it passed through. What it witnessed. Curator: Exactly. By studying it, we can trace power, gender, and cultural narratives through the ages. Editor: I’m leaving here with a renewed sense of connection to something so far removed, yet so incredibly close.