Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 201 - 206

Curator: The Denarius of Septimius Severus is an intriguing artifact, a small silver coin housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It whispers of a powerful past. Editor: It's so worn! But the silver still catches the light. The figure on the reverse seems to be reaching up, as if in supplication. Curator: These coins were, essentially, propaganda. The minting process itself, controlled by the emperor, determined the message disseminated throughout the Roman world. Think about the logistics, the labor involved in extracting, refining, and striking these in vast quantities. Editor: And the imagery – the imperial portrait, the gods and goddesses depicted. What narratives were being reinforced? Who was the figure on the reverse meant to be, and what did it symbolize to the people who carried this coin? Curator: It’s a reminder that even the smallest objects can carry immense historical weight, reflecting the economic, social, and political realities of their time. Editor: Absolutely. A tiny window into the Roman psyche, and the images they chose to carry with them.