Sestertius of Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Curator: This sestertius, attributed to Severus Alexander, provides a fascinating glimpse into Roman portraiture and numismatic art. Editor: It looks incredibly worn. I wonder how many hands this coin passed through, what it purchased, and how the wear and tear accumulated over time. Curator: The obverse features a portrait of the emperor. Note the careful articulation of his features, even in this state of preservation, and the encircling inscription. Editor: The material transformation is striking. The copper alloy has patinated over centuries, a testament to its burial and exposure to various environmental factors. The labor involved in mining, smelting, and striking these coins—it's all palpable. Curator: The reverse depicts a symbolic representation of Roman virtue, a visual language intended to convey specific ideological messages to the population. Editor: I see the object first as a raw material transformed through labor and technology. The coin's value wasn't simply symbolic. It facilitated exchange and reflected Rome's economic power. Curator: It's intriguing to consider how the symbolic and the material intersect in this object. Editor: Absolutely. Examining the coin reveals how value and meaning are produced.