Denarius of Severus Alexander c. 230

Curator: Here we see a Denarius of Severus Alexander, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It's a silver coin, small and worn, but still holding a wealth of historical information. Editor: Immediately, I notice the contrast between the idealized portrait on one side and the active figure on the other. There's a tension between representation and what feels like a call to action. Curator: That idealized portrait would have been instantly recognizable, a symbol of imperial power circulated widely. Note the laurel wreath, a signifier of victory and leadership. Editor: And yet, the figure on the reverse is quite interesting. Holding what looks like a spear and a shield, standing upon the subjugated enemy – who is this figure meant to represent? The embodiment of conquest? Or an effort to suppress dissent? Curator: It’s fascinating how these images are designed to project stability and strength, even as the empire faced internal strife and external pressures. It speaks to the power of symbols. Editor: Indeed. Even in miniature, this coin reveals so much about the dynamics of power and the construction of identity in ancient Rome. Curator: It is a powerful reminder that objects, even small ones, can carry immense cultural weight. Editor: A tiny window into a vast and complex world, it makes you consider what symbols of power we carry today.