Coin of Damascus under Otacilia Severa c. 244 - 249

Curator: Here we have a coin of Damascus under Otacilia Severa, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking how worn it is; the copper is heavily patinated, isn't it? Curator: Indeed, that wear and tear speaks volumes. Coins like this were not merely currency. They served as propaganda, circulating imperial imagery and messaging throughout the empire. Editor: And the means of production would have been quite labor-intensive. Imagine the skill required to engrave those dies, the physical effort of striking each coin. The value extends beyond its face value. Curator: Precisely, it reflects the socio-political power of the Severan dynasty and the administration in Damascus. The imagery itself was carefully chosen to project authority. Editor: I'm left considering the hands this passed through, the markets it supported, its daily impact on life within the empire. It is much more than just an artifact. Curator: A tangible connection to a long-vanished world, influencing culture and power. Editor: Definitely, something so elemental forged in complex systems of value.