Sestertius of Alexander Severus 

Curator: Here we have a sestertius attributed to Alexander Severus, a Roman Emperor, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels…ancient, obviously, but also fragile, like a whisper from a forgotten marketplace. All that weight, 23.34 grams, yet it feels so vulnerable. Curator: The weight and copper alloy are crucial. These coins were not merely symbols of imperial power but tangible tools of economic exchange, reflecting the social and political structure. Editor: Right, the coin as a tool. I see the emperor’s profile, though worn. It makes you wonder about the hands it passed through, the stories it could tell about the Roman Empire's daily life. Curator: Exactly! By analyzing the coin’s wear, the metal composition, and distribution patterns, we gain insight into ancient trade routes and imperial administration. It's not just art; it's material culture. Editor: A tiny, weighty testament to a vast empire. Makes you wonder about value, what we assign it, what it truly holds. Curator: Indeed, a sestertius is more than just a coin; it's a portal into understanding an entire civilization's labor, trade, and power dynamics.