Coin of Ilium under Julia Domna 193 - 217

Curator: Here we have a coin of Ilium, attributed to Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus. Editor: Immediately, the patina speaks volumes. A deep, almost melancholic bronze. Curator: Indeed. The composition is quite simple, a portrait on one side, a figure on the other. Editor: The figure, likely a goddess, carries a palpable sense of authority, almost judgement. What do you read into it? Curator: The material weight of 12.31 grams is interesting, contributing to the coin's symbolic value as a tangible representation of power. Editor: It's a powerful object, isn't it? A reminder of enduring archetypes. Curator: Precisely. The careful design elements point to the coin's dual function—both currency and propaganda. Editor: The iconographic elements resonate even now, across millennia. Curator: Yes. A fascinating intersection of form and function. Editor: Indeed. A small object with such a big story to tell.