Denarius of Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Curator: Looking at this denarius of Severus Alexander, I’m struck by how much history is contained in such a small object. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn't it? A little beat up, like it's lived a life, traded hands, maybe even been lost and found again. Curator: Precisely. Roman coinage was instrumental in disseminating imperial ideology, particularly through portraiture. These coins, minted with Severus Alexander’s likeness, served as propaganda, connecting the emperor's image with the vast Roman territories. Editor: You know, gazing at the profile, there's a vulnerability there. It’s not all power and glory, more like a real person burdened by the weight of empire. And that little crack at the top? Adds a touch of drama, a hint of fragility. Curator: Absolutely. The denarius also reflects the economic realities of the time and the shifting value of silver, especially during periods of political instability or military expenditure. Editor: Funny to think such a tiny thing once held so much purchasing power... Makes you wonder about all the stories it could tell about the lives it touched. Curator: It prompts us to consider how power dynamics, trade, and imperial narratives intersect in these objects. Editor: Well, now I'm seeing this little coin in a whole new light, heavier somehow.