Denarius of Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Severus Alexander. It's quite small, and you can see the wear and tear on the metal. What can you tell us about its importance? Curator: Its value lies in understanding material culture. Coins like this were instruments of power. The labor in mining, refining, and minting this metal represents a huge investment. Editor: That's interesting. Curator: Consider the inscription. Who benefited from its circulation? The coin itself facilitated trade, but it also served as propaganda. How did it shape consumption? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It's a mini-billboard! Curator: Exactly! And seeing the physical coin, rather than just reading about it, brings the past into sharper focus. Editor: I'll definitely look at ancient currency differently now!