Coin of Philadelphia under Septimius Severus c. 193 - 211

Curator: Here we have a coin from Philadelphia under Septimius Severus, residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs just over 4 grams. Editor: Well, it feels older than its actual age! The worn texture and dark patina give it a powerful sense of history and maybe even mystery. Curator: Absolutely, these coins functioned as more than just currency; they were vehicles for imperial propaganda. Consider the portrait of Severus. Editor: Right, that profile, even eroded, speaks volumes about power, authority. It's fascinating how much a tiny object can convey. You almost forget it was something someone might jingle in their pocket! Curator: Precisely, they were designed to be circulated, handled, and seen. This coin reminds us that art serves many roles, often political ones. Editor: Yes, it's a poignant reminder that art is always intertwined with its socio-political context. Curator: It's also a window into how rulers wanted to be perceived. Editor: Exactly. I'll never look at loose change the same way again.