Sestertius of Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a Sestertius of Severus Alexander, a Roman coin dating back to his reign. Its current home is here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The coin's weathered surface immediately evokes a sense of antiquity and the passage of time. It’s so tactile, I want to reach out and hold it. Curator: Severus Alexander issued these coins to engage in very deliberate acts of political messaging. How a leader presents himself is key to garnering trust and a sense of legitimacy. Editor: Absolutely. Consider how marginalized groups may have perceived this imagery then, versus our interpretation today. It’s vital to examine the coin’s imagery through a lens of intersectionality and power dynamics. Curator: Indeed. The Sestertius served as a tool for the dissemination of imperial ideology throughout the Roman Empire. Editor: Contemplating the stories embedded within such a small object is really fascinating. Curator: It's a reminder that art and politics have always been intertwined. Editor: And hopefully always a point of conversation.