Denarius of Severus Alexander c. 223

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Severus Alexander, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. It's a small silver coin, 3.82 grams. Editor: There’s a haunted, ethereal quality. It makes me think about touch and trade, about power exchanged from hand to hand. Curator: Coins like this one weren't just currency; they were propaganda tools. The emperor's image was circulated widely, shaping public perception of his authority and legitimacy. Editor: That’s so interesting! It’s like an early form of branding, like a walking, talking advertisement for himself. Still, there is a palpable feeling of loss in this coin. Curator: Absolutely. These coins offer insights into Roman imperial ideology, economic systems, and even artistic conventions. Editor: So much history packed into such a small object. It's like holding a tiny echo of a lost world.