Denarius of Juba II 25 BCE-23 CE

Curator: This is a silver denarius struck by Juba II, King of Numidia and Mauretania. Editor: The worn texture and low relief of the coin give it a tangible quality, evoking a sense of ancient history. Curator: Indeed, these coins offer insight into Juba's efforts to Romanize his kingdom while asserting his own authority through portraiture and symbols. The Latin inscription around the ruler’s head is a deliberate association. Editor: Semiotically, the visual language is compelling—a merging of cultural identities expressed through carefully chosen imagery. Curator: Absolutely. They speak to the complexities of identity and power in a region undergoing cultural transformation. Editor: It's fascinating how such a small object can hold so much historical and artistic information.