Denarius of Alexander Severus 

Curator: Here we see a Denarius of Alexander Severus, presently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Weighing only 2.87 grams, the details are remarkably preserved. Editor: It feels like holding a fragment of history, a whisper from the past. The worn edges speak volumes, don't they? Curator: Absolutely. The deliberate circular form containing the profile of Severus and a figure presents an interesting study in Roman imperial iconography. Editor: I’m captivated by how the artist captured a sense of authority within such a tiny space. It's almost as if the weight of an empire rests in the palm of your hand. Curator: Indeed, the material—likely silver alloy—also adds to its significance. Currency as a symbol of power, you see. Editor: It makes you wonder about all the hands it passed through, the stories it could tell...a tangible connection to a distant world. Curator: Precisely, and I think, we can both agree that it serves as a profound reminder of the enduring power of human artistry and the legacies we leave behind. Editor: Absolutely, a tiny object, yet pregnant with meaning and history.