Sestertius of Alexander Severus 

Curator: Here we have a sestertius of Alexander Severus, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I see a potent symbol of Roman power and endurance, even in its worn condition. There’s a weight, a sense of history embedded in its materiality. Curator: Indeed. Notice the deliberate composition, how the profile bust is framed by the inscription, emphasizing the emperor's image. The obverse presents a figure that I believe is likely Pax. Editor: Yes, Pax, the Roman goddess of peace. Her presence here is intriguing, a visual plea for stability and prosperity during a turbulent reign. The coin becomes a symbolic gesture. Curator: I agree; the visual language reinforces the emperor's ambition to project an image of strength and benevolence. The weathering only adds to the semiotic richness. Editor: Absolutely. It's a tangible connection to a distant past, a reminder of the ebb and flow of power, rendered in metal. Curator: A fascinating artifact from which to consider the narrative arcs of empires. Editor: A humble medium carrying immense cultural weight, nonetheless.