Coin of Thessalonike under the Empress Aquilia Severa 

Curator: Before us, we have a coin of Thessalonike under the Empress Aquilia Severa. Editor: Immediately striking is its worn texture, the metal's surface almost like a distressed fabric. There's a palpable sense of age. Curator: The details of Aquilia Severa’s profile, despite the wear, still convey a regal authority through line and form. Notice how the engraver has used the coin’s small scale to its advantage. Editor: Beyond portraiture, coins served as vessels carrying symbols of power, religion, and cultural identity. The figure on the reverse, though faded, speaks to broader cultural beliefs. Curator: Indeed, the figure exhibits a fine balance of realistic and stylized elements, a synthesis typical of imperial art. Editor: It makes you consider what this small object signified to its original users and what echoes of that significance remain today. Curator: Precisely. Form and function intertwine to reveal a compelling narrative.