Coin of Samos under Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a coin minted in Samos under Severus Alexander. It’s a small bronze piece, only 4.6 grams, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels ancient, almost dreamlike. That verdigris patina whispers of stories buried, then unearthed. I wonder, who held this? Curator: Indeed. The figure on the reverse is likely a representation of Apollo, a deity deeply tied to Samos, symbolizing light, knowledge, and healing. Editor: The outstretched arms—are they beckoning or blessing? It’s striking how a single, simple image can hold so many interpretations across millennia. Curator: Coins like these weren't just currency; they were powerful symbols, miniature billboards broadcasting the emperor's power and the city's identity. Editor: It really does make you think about the weight of symbols, how they persist and evolve, carrying cultural memory on something as unassuming as a coin. Curator: It’s a tangible connection to the past. Editor: Beautifully put. A past that's both ever-present and just out of reach.