Coin of Stobi under Julia Domna c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: Oh, the feel of time in your hand, right? This coin of Stobi, featuring Julia Domna, whispers stories of power and the past. Editor: Intimately scaled, yes, but somehow…imposing. The wear on it—it feels like holding concentrated history. The portrait is weathered, but her presence is still striking. Curator: Absolutely. Domna wasn't just the wife of Emperor Septimius Severus; she was a force, influencing policy, philosophy, and, of course, imagery. Coins like these were propaganda tools, circulating her image throughout the empire. Editor: It's a tactile connection to a woman who navigated a world of emperors and armies. Seeing how this little coin was actually USED, exchanged in marketplaces, gives it real weight. Curator: And think of Stobi! Now in North Macedonia, then a vital Roman city. This coin links one ambitious woman to a specific place, a moment in its vibrant history. Editor: A pocket-sized window into a world both grand and grounded. Gives you a sense of how long history really is, doesn't it? Curator: It certainly does. A reminder that even the smallest objects can hold the largest stories.