Sestertius of Alexander Severus 

Editor: This Sestertius of Alexander Severus is quite fascinating. Given the wear, it feels like holding a piece of history right in your hand. What can you tell me about its role in Roman society? Curator: Coins weren't just currency; they were powerful tools of propaganda. The emperor's image, along with inscriptions, projected specific messages about his power, virtues, and ambitions. What do you think the choice of imagery says about Severus Alexander's reign? Editor: It's interesting to think of money as propaganda. So the coin acted as a sort of distributed message? Curator: Precisely. A circulating statement, reinforcing the Emperor's intended image throughout the Roman world. Consider how museums today shape our understanding of Roman history through the preservation and display of artifacts like this. Editor: That really puts its cultural value into perspective! Curator: Indeed.