Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 201 - 206

Editor: We're looking at a silver denarius of Septimius Severus. It's surprisingly small, yet it feels monumental, like holding a tiny piece of an empire. What story does this coin whisper to you? Curator: Ah, the whisper of power! To me, it's a tangible link to a man who reshaped Rome. I see the laurel wreath, a symbol of victory, but also the wear and tear—the touch of countless hands, each with their own story. It's less about the metal's worth, and more about the ideas it carried. A tiny billboard of imperial propaganda, wouldn't you say? Editor: Absolutely, a form of ancient advertising! I never thought about it that way. Curator: These coins were like seeds, scattered across the empire, each one sprouting an image of Severus and his authority. And now, centuries later, we're still pondering that image. Isn't that something? Editor: Definitely food for thought. Thanks!