Coin of Amphipolis under Septimius Severus c. 193 - 211

Curator: Here we have a bronze coin of Amphipolis, issued under the reign of Septimius Severus, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so worn and ancient, like it carries the weight of empires. I can almost feel the stories it could tell, just by touching it. Curator: Indeed. These coins were more than just currency; they were tools of political messaging. Severus, who reigned from 193 to 211 AD, used coinage to project power and legitimacy. Editor: Oh, so each coin was like a mini billboard, broadcasting who's boss? Curator: Precisely! And circulating these images through monetary exchange reinforced his authority across the empire. Editor: You know, to think that something this small held so much power, it’s kind of humbling. I'll never look at pocket change the same way again.