Sestertius of Septimius Severus 

Curator: Here we have a Sestertius, likely depicting Septimius Severus. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by its history, it has been through so much and tells the tale of time. Curator: Indeed, coinage like this wasn't just currency, but a propaganda tool. The emperor's image, divine associations, they all reinforce power. Editor: You're right. I'm seeing the weight of authority, the kind that wants to last millennia. Curator: Yes, and the visual vocabulary employed is far from arbitrary. The symbols, figures, what they hold in their hands, they all speak. Editor: It’s amazing what a little disc can carry. Curator: Absolutely, and it gives us a material connection to the past. Editor: It’s like holding a conversation across centuries.