Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: Here we have a silver denarius of Septimius Severus, a Roman emperor. What are your immediate impressions? Editor: It looks like something you’d find buried in the garden. The rough texture gives it a certain gravitas, a tangible link to the past. Curator: The damage to the coin is significant, yet the bas-relief portrait is still distinct. The inscription, though worn, likely served to legitimize Severus' reign. Editor: Absolutely! And it's interesting how such a small object, weighing only 2.83 grams, could represent so much power and wealth back then. It’s like a tiny, portable empire. Curator: Indeed. The coin’s materiality—the silver itself—also speaks volumes about economic systems and imperial control. Editor: Seeing this just makes you think about the stories this little coin could tell. It’s incredible. Curator: A fascinating object indeed, bringing together the tangible and the symbolic in a single, compact form. Editor: A humbling experience, really. A glimpse into the vast expanse of time, held in the palm of your hand.