Denarius of Severus Alexander c. 223

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Severus Alexander. It’s worn, of course, being so old and made of, it looks like, silver. What I find fascinating is how something so small could have been so important. How would you interpret this work? Curator: I see a concentrated effort to control the flow of precious metals and, by extension, consolidate power. This coin wasn't just currency; it was a meticulously crafted message, projecting an image of imperial authority. Consider the labor involved in mining, refining, and striking these coins. It speaks to the economic and social structures of the Roman Empire. Editor: So, it’s less about the art and more about the economic system that made it possible? Curator: Precisely. We must examine how material production shaped cultural values and vice versa. The coin is a tangible link to understand the Roman Empire's complex social fabric through this small object. Editor: I never thought of it that way before. Curator: It is more than art. It’s the power of production.