Coin of Flaviopolis under Severus Alexander c. 225 - 226

Curator: There's a certain weight to this artifact, isn't there? This is a coin of Flaviopolis under Severus Alexander, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Absolutely. The first impression is its weathered state; it speaks of resilience but also the relentless passage of time and sociopolitical struggles. Curator: Coins, beyond their monetary value, are powerful symbols. Severus Alexander's image, though worn, carries the weight of imperial authority and the patriarchy embedded in its iconography. Editor: Indeed, the portrait on the coin acts as a cultural memory. The imagery, the leader's profile, all reinforce established societal hierarchies. The symbol of power cast in metal, replicated across the empire. Curator: Right. It forces us to question the narratives propagated by such imagery, its role in shaping perceptions of power, gender, and identity across generations. Editor: Examining this object, and how it has survived, provides some insight into the symbols and images that still impact us today. Curator: It reminds us that even small, seemingly insignificant objects can hold profound implications about power, identity, and social dynamics.