Denarius of Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Severus Alexander, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a rather small object at just 2.71 grams. Editor: It looks worn, almost ghostly. You can barely make out the details, but there's a history embedded in that metal. Curator: Absolutely. These coins were tools of power, circulating portraits of emperors, reinforcing their image and legitimacy through everyday transactions. How did Severus Alexander leverage his image? Editor: Look at the craftsmanship, even worn as it is. The silver content, the precision of the strike, it all speaks to the control the Romans had over their resources and how they chose to express that power. Curator: And Severus Alexander's reign was particularly interesting, wasn't it? Marked by a reliance on his mother's counsel and ultimately, his assassination, a reminder that power is as fleeting as these coins are durable. Editor: So, even something as humble as this coin demonstrates the material foundation of empire, from the mines that yielded the silver to the markets where it circulated, shaping lives and solidifying control. Curator: Precisely. It’s a tangible link to the politics and personalities of an era long past, showing how power intersects with lived experience. Editor: Seeing it this way really brings a new perspective to this small, tarnished object. Curator: Indeed. It's more than just a coin; it's a fragment of a complex narrative.