As of Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Curator: Isn't it remarkable how something so small can carry so much history? This is a coin, "As of Severus Alexander," currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a moody feel, don't you think? All that verdigris whispers of time and forgotten stories. I feel a connection to hands that handled it. Curator: Absolutely! Coins were crucial tools of imperial propaganda. It was a medium for communicating power, legitimacy, and even specific political agendas to a wide audience. Editor: Imagine the countless transactions, the hopes and dreams tied to this little disc. The Roman Empire was a big place, I wonder where this coin was in circulation. Curator: Exactly! Coins like these circulated throughout the Empire, acting as potent symbols of Roman authority and projecting a carefully crafted image of the emperor. Editor: Makes you wonder what Alexander himself would think, knowing his face is still around, if only in this humble, green-tinged form. Curator: It's a reminder that art, even in its most functional forms, plays a vital role in shaping our understanding of the past. Editor: And that sometimes, the smallest objects hold the grandest narratives.