Coin of Alexandreia Troas under Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Curator: Today we’re looking at a coin from Alexandreia Troas, minted under Severus Alexander, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s rough, isn't it? You can really see the wear and tear on the surface, the patina telling a story of circulation and burial. I imagine the countless hands it must have passed through. Curator: Absolutely. The coin’s imagery – Severus Alexander on one side, a horse grazing on the other – speaks volumes about Roman imperial power and its relationship to the provinces. Coins were, after all, instruments of propaganda. Editor: I’m struck by the materiality. It's bronze, a common metal, but cast with intent. These weren’t made to be precious, but functional, and widely distributed. We can assess economic production. Curator: Precisely, we can see how the emperor's image permeated daily life, reinforcing his authority and legitimacy. Editor: And the horse? Perhaps a symbol of wealth or military might specific to Alexandreia Troas? Curator: Possibly. Or, it could allude to Troy's mythical past, linking Severus Alexander to a lineage of heroes. Editor: So much history packed into one small, worn object. Curator: Indeed, a tangible link to the past, shaped by history, politics, and the everyday realities of its use.