Coin of Laodikeia ad Mare under Septimius Severus and Julia Domna c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: Here we have a coin from Laodikeia ad Mare, issued during the reign of Septimius Severus and his wife, Julia Domna. Editor: It has such a tactile quality, doesn’t it? The green patina gives it the appearance of being something reclaimed from the earth. Curator: Indeed, coins were not merely currency, but also potent symbols of imperial power and divine sanction. The images and inscriptions would have conveyed specific messages. Editor: Absolutely. These coins circulated within a society grappling with issues of identity, governance, and cultural exchange under Roman rule. Curator: It is a tiny object holding immense cultural meaning. Editor: I am left thinking about all the hands it passed through.