Sestertius of Severus Alexander c. 231

Editor: This is a Sestertius of Severus Alexander, a Roman coin. Its weight is around 17.43 grams. I’m intrigued by the aging and wear on this material. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: The value isn’t just in the image it bears, but in the very materiality of the object. Consider the labor involved in its extraction, refining, and striking. How does its circulation reflect patterns of trade and imperial power? Editor: So it’s about the life of the coin? Curator: Precisely. The wear and tear speak to its function as a medium of exchange, connecting individuals and communities within the Roman economy. Editor: That’s fascinating, it’s less about who is on the coin and more about who touched it. Curator: Exactly. The coin’s journey through countless hands imprints a history far beyond the emperor’s image.