Coin of Nicopolis under Septimius Severus c. 193 - 211

Curator: This is a coin from Nicopolis, minted during the reign of Septimius Severus. Editor: The patina immediately speaks of time and power. The wear gives it a tactile, human quality despite its function as state currency. Curator: Precisely. The image of Septimius Severus embodies imperial authority, while the reverse likely depicts a deity or allegorical figure associated with Nicopolis, linking the emperor to local traditions. Editor: It's fascinating how coins like these were tools of propaganda, spreading not only currency but also specific ideologies about power and identity throughout the empire. How might this relate to post-colonial currencies? Curator: Indeed. The coin serves as a potent symbol of imperial reach. Each element carefully chosen to convey power, legitimacy, and cultural connection. Editor: Its survival reminds us how objects both reflect and shape the historical narratives surrounding them. The coin is still in conversation with us centuries later.