Sesterius of Otacilia Severa 244 - 249

Curator: This is a Sesterius of Otacilia Severa, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs just over 20 grams. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the wear and tear. It speaks volumes about the countless hands and transactions this little bronze disc must have passed through. Curator: Indeed. Note the careful rendering of Otacilia's profile. The incuse lettering and the high relief are designed to convey power and authority. Editor: It's more than just authority; it’s about the very act of coining itself—a tangible act of labor that not only facilitates trade, but also stamps imperial will onto the everyday lives of its subjects. Curator: An interesting point. I focus on the formal elements; the texture created by the artist. How does the patina impact our reading of the form? Editor: For me, the real value lies in its history as a means of exchange, a form of primitive money, reflecting the social and economic systems of its time. A humble yet powerful artifact! Curator: Agreed. An object lesson in design and history.