Sestertius of Alexander Severus c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a sestertius, a Roman coin, of Alexander Severus, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels heavy with history, doesn’t it? I wonder, what sort of stories do you think this little coin whispers? Curator: Ah, yes, it whispers of power, of trade, of everyday life! Each emperor put his face on coinage. It's almost like ancient Instagram, wouldn't you say? What’s truly striking is how this humble object connected people across the empire. Editor: So it's more than just money; it’s a mini-billboard? I never thought of it that way. Curator: Exactly! Think of the hands it has passed through! Each scratch, each imperfection, is a story etched in time. Editor: Wow, I’ll never look at a coin the same way again. History you can hold in your hand!