Denarius of Julia Mamaea c. 226

Curator: This is a Denarius of Julia Mamaea from the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The coin's worn surface evokes a sense of time's relentless passage. The flattening of details and the subtle gray tones speak of the metal's materiality. Curator: Absolutely. The image of Julia Mamaea, mother of Emperor Severus Alexander, is potent. Coins like this served as propaganda, projecting the image and power of the imperial family throughout the Roman Empire. Editor: I notice the figure on the reverse. Is it a representation of a deity? The composition uses the full surface to emphasize the figure. Curator: Indeed. It likely depicts a goddess, possibly Vesta or Ceres. Such imagery invokes notions of prosperity and divine favor, reinforcing the legitimacy of the ruling dynasty. Editor: The formal elements, even in their degraded state, show a sophisticated understanding of relief and proportion. Curator: Precisely. This coin is more than just currency; it's a potent symbol, a tactile connection to a distant past. Editor: It truly captures the essence of power and the wear of history.