Sestertius of Julia Maesa 218 - 223

Curator: This sestertius of Julia Maesa presents such a compelling look at Roman artistry. The weathered surface tells a story of its own, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely! It feels so tactile, almost begging to be picked up despite the verdigris. One can almost feel the density of the metal and the labor involved in its production. Curator: Indeed. The portrait of Julia Maesa, though worn, still conveys a sense of her power. Coins were potent symbols, miniature billboards broadcasting imperial authority. Editor: And thinking about the copper alloy itself, it represents Rome's vast resources and its ability to mobilize labor for extraction, refining, and striking. A coin is never just currency, is it? It's a material testament to an empire. Curator: Precisely! It's a tangible link to a distant past, a symbol of an era's ambitions and beliefs rendered in metal. Editor: Seeing its worn condition makes me consider how many hands it passed through. What a history embedded in the object! Curator: A history that continues to fascinate, shaped by material, symbol, and time. Editor: It's amazing how such a humble object speaks volumes about an entire civilization.