Sestertius of Julia Domna 211 - 217

Curator: Here we have a sestertius, a bronze coin, featuring Julia Domna, the wife of Emperor Septimius Severus. Editor: Immediately, it speaks of resilience and the passage of time—the wear on the coin is striking. Curator: It’s fascinating to see a woman, not just any woman, but the Empress herself, immortalized on currency, reflecting her status and influence within the Roman Empire. Editor: Absolutely, it begs the question: What did it signify to have her image circulated so widely? How did it reinforce or challenge the social norms of the time? Curator: Coins were propaganda, after all. It’s a powerful reminder of how imperial power was visualized and disseminated. Editor: Precisely, it is a potent symbol of how power intersects with representation. Curator: Indeed, a small object carrying immense historical weight.