Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 199 - 200

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Septimius Severus from the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's small but mighty. The cool silver tone gives it a sense of austere authority. Curator: Indeed. As a Roman coin, its imagery, in this case the emperor himself, was a form of political communication. It’s a statement of power. Editor: And considering its material – silver – it’s a controlled resource turned into a potent symbol. Who had access to the silver mines, who oversaw production? That’s power too. Curator: Absolutely. The coin circulated widely, projecting the image and, therefore, the authority of Severus throughout the Roman Empire. Editor: It’s amazing to think of something so small carrying so much weight, both literally in terms of silver and figuratively in terms of political message. Curator: It offers a glimpse into the complex systems that upheld Roman Imperial power. Editor: A tiny object, but with so much to unpack about labor, power, and material control.