AE Julia Maesa 

Curator: Looking at this coin—titled "AE Julia Maesa" here at the Harvard Art Museums, attributed to Julia Maesa—one can almost feel the weight of history in its diminutive form. Editor: Absolutely. The first thing that strikes me is its weathered texture, the patinated bronze telling a silent story of circulation and time. It evokes a tangible connection to the past. Curator: Indeed. Numismatic art such as this was a powerful tool for disseminating imagery and ideology across the Roman Empire. In this case, it's Maesa herself, a shrewd political figure who played a pivotal role in installing her grandsons on the throne. Editor: I notice a bird on the reverse. A peacock, perhaps? I wonder what significance that held for her. Symbol of immortality, maybe? Or something more personal? Curator: Likely a symbol of divinity, connecting her family to the imperial cult. Coins were more than just currency; they were miniature propaganda pieces, weaving narratives of power and legitimacy. Editor: It’s truly fascinating to think of all the hands this small object has passed through, the journeys it has undertaken. Curator: A tangible link to a powerful woman.