Sestertius of Septimius Severus c. 2th - 3th century

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius of Septimius Severus. It's quite small, isn’t it? Considering its age, the coin is heavily corroded. What can you tell me about it? Curator: It speaks to the immense labor invested in extracting metals, refining them, and then striking these coins. The materiality and its distribution facilitated commerce and reinforced Roman power. How does its state of preservation affect your understanding? Editor: It makes me think about value. What was its purchasing power then, and what is its value now as an artifact? It's amazing to hold something that was once a means of exchange. Curator: Precisely. The coin transcends simple monetary value, becoming a potent symbol of Roman economic and social structures. It lets us consider ancient labor. Editor: Fascinating. I hadn't considered the labor aspect so directly. Curator: Seeing it materially really makes you think of value, labor and power.