Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 201s

Curator: Look at this, a Denarius of Septimius Severus, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. I find it fascinating that a Roman Emperor was, in a way, his own artist. Editor: There's a ghostly, almost melancholic feel to this coin. All that remains of that regime are these small, debased bits of metal. It makes me consider what sort of message it carries as a tool for the establishment of a political project. Curator: It’s incredible to think about the weight this little coin carried in shaping perceptions of power and authority, you know? Like, everyday people holding an emperor’s face in their hands as they bought their daily bread. Editor: Exactly! It’s a form of propaganda, meant to legitimize imperial rule. The figure on the reverse side would've represented a divine protector, reinforcing the emperor's link to divinity, legitimizing their lineage. Curator: It does make you wonder what narratives are imprinted on our money today. Editor: Absolutely. Money talks, and history whispers, or sometimes shouts, through it. It encourages us to look beyond the surface and consider the broader narratives at play.