Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 201 - 206

Curator: This is a denarius of Septimius Severus, held in the Harvard Art Museums. The weight is 3.1 grams. Editor: Wow, even reduced like this, there is something haunting about it. It speaks of power and decay at the same time. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like this were not just currency. They were tools of propaganda, intended to disseminate images and messages of imperial power throughout the Roman Empire. Editor: So, in essence, this coin, pocket-sized as it is, embodies an empire. The weight of history in your hand, quite literally. Curator: Precisely. And considering the socio-political upheavals during Severus' reign, each detail becomes a statement of legitimacy and control. Editor: The fragility of the metal, though, contrasts with that perceived strength. It’s a potent reminder of how everything, even empires, crumbles eventually. Curator: A fine observation, it underscores how the symbolism of strength is often juxtaposed with the material realities of impermanence. Editor: It makes you wonder about the hands it passed through. Curator: Indeed. This little object connects us to a vast network of power, trade, and human lives. Editor: I'm left pondering how much stories this coin could tell, if it could speak.