Coin of Kassandreia under Septimius Severus c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: Today, we are looking at a coin of Kassandreia under Septimius Severus, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a gorgeous little thing, isn't it? The patina gives it such depth, the subtle green contrasting with hints of the original bronze. Curator: Indeed. These coins weren't just currency. They were tools of imperial propaganda, asserting Roman power through imagery and circulation. Editor: Look how the design, even worn as it is, still commands attention. The relief, though subtle, captures a sense of authority, of history. Curator: Absolutely, each coin served as a miniature billboard, disseminating the emperor's image and reinforcing the empire's presence in distant lands. Editor: It is remarkable how the artist managed to convey so much information and expression within such a limited space and material. Curator: Seeing an object like this, once held and traded, connects us directly to the political and economic realities of its time. Editor: And for me, it's a testament to the enduring power of form—line, texture, and the beauty found in the decay itself.