Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 210

Curator: This is a Denarius of Septimius Severus, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you first? Editor: The starkness, undoubtedly. The metallic gray set against the void speaks to the unyielding power Septimius Severus projected. Curator: Indeed, the choice of silver accentuates this severity. The coin, weighing only 3.75 grams, bears the emperor's portrait on one side. Editor: And the other side depicts a seated figure, perhaps Roma herself, reinforcing his vision of a strong, centralized empire. These symbols are meant to resonate deeply. Curator: It's a masterful compression of power dynamics into a singular, tangible object of currency, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Precisely, and the damage to the coin only adds to the weight of its history. I am left contemplating its symbolism. Curator: A very poignant way to look at it.