Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 210

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Septimius Severus. It's incredible to hold something so old and made of metal. The details are still so clear! What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the labor involved in extracting, refining, and minting this silver. The coin embodies the Roman Empire's vast reach and resource control. How does understanding its production change your perception of its value? Editor: It makes me think about the lives of the miners and artisans involved. Curator: Exactly. It's not just an image of power, but a product of it. How do you think the controlled distribution of these coins impacted the culture? Editor: I hadn't considered that before. It's a powerful tool for propaganda and control, beyond just currency. Curator: Precisely. The materiality speaks volumes about power structures.