Sestertius of Alexander Severus 

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius, a Roman coin, of Alexander Severus, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It's incredibly tactile, almost like holding a tiny, weathered storybook. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: It's a portal, really. Close your eyes, feel the weight... Imagine who held this, what they bought, what they dreamt of. The emperor's stoic profile, the wear and tear—it's a tangible link to a vanished world. Does it make you feel connected to the past? Editor: Absolutely. It's like a time capsule I can hold in my hand. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Curator: My pleasure. It's always thrilling to see someone else catch the spark of history!