Coin of Anazarbus under Severus Alexander c. 225 - 226

Curator: Here we have a coin from Anazarbus under Severus Alexander, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, weighing about 11.52 grams. Editor: It looks so worn! Like a forgotten worry, or a secret whispered so many times it's lost its meaning. Curator: These coins were more than just currency; they were propaganda. Severus Alexander used them to project power throughout the Roman Empire. Editor: Propaganda, yes, but think about the hands it passed through, the stories it could tell. It's a tangible link to a world so different, yet still, human. Curator: Absolutely, and the imagery itself – the emperor's portrait, the inscriptions – all carefully chosen to convey specific messages about his reign and legitimacy. Editor: It's like holding a tiny, bronze echo of an emperor's ambition. Funny how something so small can carry so much weight. Curator: Indeed, a reminder that even the mightiest empires leave traces in the most unassuming objects. Editor: A poignant thought. It makes you wonder what stories our own coins will tell centuries from now.