Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 206 - 210

Editor: This is a Denarius of Septimius Severus, a small silver coin. It feels weighty despite its size, and the images are incredibly worn. What can you tell me about the figures depicted on this coin? Curator: These coins are powerful icons. The portrait of Septimius Severus presents not just his likeness, but also his authority, linking him to a lineage of power. Who do you think the other figure could be? Editor: I suppose a goddess? Curator: Yes. These symbols speak volumes about how rulers wished to be perceived, linking themselves to divine power and promising prosperity. The image becomes a tool of cultural memory. Editor: So it's less about the actual value of the silver, and more about communicating power. Fascinating! Curator: Precisely! A pocket-sized piece of propaganda, if you will. A lasting symbol of the emperor’s reign.