Sestertius of Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius, made by Severus Alexander, with its lovely verdigris patina. It feels almost like a small, forgotten world in my hand. How do you see this little window into the past? Curator: It whispers stories, doesn't it? The emperor's profile, that once-crisp depiction of power, softened by time. I see resilience, the enduring nature of art and memory, even as empires crumble. Do you wonder what hands it passed through? Editor: Absolutely! It makes me think about value too, how it's shifted from currency to something else entirely. Curator: Precisely. Its value now is less about commerce, more about connection. It links us to Severus Alexander, and to all who held it before us. Makes you feel part of a chain, doesn’t it? Editor: Definitely does. Curator: A powerful message delivered through such a small, unassuming object.