Antoninianus of Otacilia Severa 244 - 246

Curator: Here we have an Antoninianus of Otacilia Severa, residing at the Harvard Art Museums. A delicate, silver coin, weighing approximately 4.58 grams. Editor: It looks timeworn, almost ghostly. I'm drawn to the way the light plays on the worn surfaces, evidence of its long history. Curator: Absolutely, its condition speaks volumes. Consider Otacilia Severa's position as empress during a tumultuous period in Roman history; this coin, bearing her image, served as a potent symbol of power and legitimacy. Editor: These coins were struck in large quantities, weren't they? A tangible symbol of imperial authority, replicated and distributed for everyday transactions. I wonder about the labour involved in their creation. Curator: Indeed, the mass production underscores its significance. I'm intrigued by the portrait itself; it reflects the idealised image of a Roman empress, but also hints at her complex role in navigating political power dynamics. Editor: Looking at the materials and their wide distribution brings a fascinating intersection between art, labour, and commerce to light. I'm left pondering the countless hands this little coin passed through.