Coin of Cyzicus under Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Curator: This is a coin of Cyzicus under Severus Alexander, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums and weighing in at just under 10 grams. Editor: The patina is striking! It speaks of age, labor, and of course, the very ground it was unearthed from. Its form is somewhat degraded, but the design is still legible. Curator: Yes, it represents a tangible link to the socio-economic structures of the Roman Empire, minted in a city then known for its robust trade networks. Editor: I am curious to study the structural balance between the portrait of Severus and the deity on the reverse, its visual language seems almost mathematical. Curator: Indeed, the circulation of coinage like this facilitated not only economic exchange, but also the spread of imperial ideology. The means of production are a key element. Editor: Studying the formal properties and how they work within this small circular space also tells us about ancient notions of power and representation. Curator: I find it fascinating to trace the journey of these coins, from the mines where the metal was extracted, to the hands of merchants and citizens. Editor: And I am struck by how such a humble, corroded object can communicate so much about art, design and the very idea of empire.