Coin of Thessalonike under Septimius Severus c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: This coin, a bronze piece weighing just over 10 grams, was minted in Thessalonike under the reign of Septimius Severus. What strikes you first about it? Editor: The patina, definitely. That green-blue layer speaks volumes about time, burial, and the slow churn of chemical reaction. It's a collaboration between craft and environment. Curator: Yes, that color evokes both decay and preservation. Coins were not merely currency but also potent symbols of imperial power and divine authority. Editor: And consider the labor involved: the mining, smelting, striking. Each coin represents countless hours of human activity and material transformation. It speaks to Roman expansion. Curator: Indeed. The emperor's image, even worn, broadcasts Roman power and prosperity, projecting stability. The artistry on such a small scale is impressive! Editor: Absolutely, and the very fact it survived invites us to think about its long life as a tool of exchange, a relic, a symbol. Curator: It’s a tangible echo from the past. Editor: Precisely, a testament to the enduring power of materiality and making.