Denarius of Septimius Severus 

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Septimius Severus, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I feel a sense of history and weight. It’s tiny, yet it carries empires. Curator: The denarius offers a fascinating study in Roman portraiture and propaganda. The profile of Severus is meticulously rendered. Editor: I imagine holding it, feeling the cool metal, the worn edges whispering stories of transactions, of power. Curator: The reverse shows Victory driving a biga, which is a two-horse chariot, symbolizing Roman military success. Editor: It's more than currency; it's a miniature sculpture, a claim, a prayer in metal. Curator: Indeed, every element serves to reinforce Severus's authority. It’s about crafting an image and disseminating it widely. Editor: A tangible legacy, surviving millennia. It makes you wonder, what will our coins say about us?