Coin of Corinth under Septimius Severus 193 - 211

Curator: Here we have a coin of Corinth under Septimius Severus, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s remarkable how worn it looks. You can barely make out the imagery, the material evidence of its long circulation. Curator: Absolutely. Coins such as this served as potent propaganda tools. Minted under Septimius Severus, they circulated throughout the Roman Empire. Editor: The physical act of striking this coin, the specific weight and metal content - these were all crucial declarations of value and imperial power. Curator: And its presence in Corinth suggests the reach and influence of Roman authority across diverse urban centers. Editor: Thinking about the hands it passed through, the markets it saw—it really grounds history in the everyday realities of Roman life. Curator: Precisely. It reminds us that even seemingly small objects can speak volumes about power, trade, and cultural exchange. Editor: I'll never look at pocket change the same way again.