Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 200 - 202

Curator: Here we have a denarius of Septimius Severus, held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's remarkably intact, given its age. The details, though worn, still give a sense of Severus's profile and the figure on the reverse. Curator: Precisely. The production of these coins was highly centralized, reflecting the emperor's control over resources and, therefore, power. Editor: I'm drawn to the composition. The circular format containing the bust, the lettering creating a frame. Curator: These coins functioned as propaganda, circulating the emperor's image widely and reinforcing his authority throughout the empire. Editor: The materiality speaks to an empire of immense reach and resources. It’s amazing to think of it passing through so many hands. Curator: Reflecting on the coin's creation gives me a renewed sense of its social and economic weight. Editor: Looking at the coin, I appreciate the aesthetic choices, the balance between portraiture and inscription.