Sestertius of Septimius Severus 

Curator: Here we have a sestertius of Septimius Severus. It's quite striking, isn't it? Editor: There's a heaviness to it, literally. You can feel the weight of the copper alloy, the way it must have been struck, the force of that impression. Curator: Coins like this were more than just currency; they were propaganda. Septimius Severus, after all, was keen to legitimize his rule after a period of civil war. Editor: Absolutely. The materiality of the coin speaks to power. The bronze itself and the labor involved in its production bolster the emperor's claim to authority and wealth. Curator: Examining the iconography, the portrait shows Severus with a determined expression, meant to project strength. His image served to disseminate an idea of his power. Editor: It makes me think about what we value. What messages are embedded in the very substance of our everyday objects? Curator: A potent reminder that objects can carry narratives. Editor: Indeed, a material history speaking to us still.