Coin of Septimius Severus c. 2th century

Curator: Here we have a coin of Septimius Severus, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, even in this state of wear, you can still feel the weight of history—the gravity of power. Curator: Absolutely. The coin’s circular form, the bas-relief portrait, and the inscription create a cohesive symbolic system. Editor: It's incredible how a tiny, everyday object like this can condense an entire empire. Curator: Indeed. The coin serves as a potent symbol of imperial authority and economic stability, packaged into a portable format. Editor: Makes you wonder about all the hands it passed through, all the stories it could tell. Curator: Precisely. This small object is rich with layers of meaning and material presence. Editor: A fascinating little window into the past.