Denarius of Julia Domna c. 196 - 211

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Julia Domna, made of silver. Julia Domna was, of course, the wife of Emperor Septimius Severus, and quite a fascinating figure in her own right. Editor: It's incredible how such a small object can feel so monumental. There’s something about the weight of history in your hand, quite literally. It feels surprisingly… human, if that makes sense. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like this were not just currency, they were carefully crafted propaganda. The image of Julia Domna was meant to project power, stability, and legitimacy, reflecting the values that the emperor wanted to associate with his rule. Editor: The profile, though worn, still carries a certain dignity. And on the reverse, a figure enthroned… perhaps Vesta, goddess of home and hearth? There’s a connection to feminine power there, and the grounding of the empire in domestic virtue. A narrative woven so subtly into everyday exchange. Curator: The imagery and symbolism are absolutely intended to project an image of imperial stability and divine favor onto the empress. It's a very powerful statement, even two thousand years later. Editor: It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, about the hands it passed through, the decisions made with it, the stories it silently witnessed... Curator: Indeed. Holding it is to feel the reverberations of an entire civilization.