Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 200

Curator: Up next we have a silver denarius of Septimius Severus, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There’s something quite arresting about the scale of this tiny coin. It feels almost intimate, yet it once held so much power as a tool of empire. Curator: Indeed. Coins like these weren't just currency; they were propaganda. Septimius Severus used them to project his image and solidify his rule. The emperor’s portrait embodies the weight of Roman authority. Editor: The portrait, worn as it is, still projects strength and perhaps even a hint of severity. What do you make of the figure on the reverse side? Curator: That's likely Victory, a common motif, symbolizing military success and divine favor. Its presence reinforces the idea of Severus as a triumphant leader chosen by the gods. Editor: Seeing the coin in this context, it’s a reminder that even the smallest objects can tell us a lot about history and the projection of power. Curator: Absolutely, the symbolic language and the historical context merge into a potent artifact.