Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 205

Curator: Well, the first thing that strikes me is the sheer tininess of the thing! Editor: Indeed. What you're observing is a silver denarius featuring Septimius Severus. Coins like this were powerful tools of imperial propaganda. Curator: Propaganda? It looks like common currency. Editor: Currency certainly, but consider the image of Severus. His profile, struck with such precision, conveys authority and legitimacy, particularly important after a period of civil war. Curator: I see the power dynamic, but isn't the artistry, the actual craftsmanship secondary to its function? The composition feels stiff, practical. Editor: Perhaps, but the very act of disseminating his image far and wide, embedding it into the daily lives of Roman citizens, speaks volumes about the politics of visibility. Curator: Yes, I hadn't quite appreciated the double function of the piece. Editor: Quite! There's so much history packed into this tiny coin.