Denarius of Severus Alexander c. 224

Curator: What catches my eye about this Denarius of Severus Alexander, is how such a small object carries so much power. Editor: Yes, it's a heavy kind of feeling, isn't it? Makes you wonder about the hands it passed through. The emperor’s gaze seems both regal and… melancholy. Curator: The imagery is potent, a visual language crafted for mass communication. The seated figure, likely Jupiter, reinforced the emperor's divine connection to legitimize his rule. Editor: It’s a fascinating bit of propaganda, a coin attempting to sculpt perception, and with Jupiter there, it suggests stability, permanence. Curator: Absolutely. And think about the symbolic weight of the silver itself, its inherent value adding to the message of prosperity and power. Editor: It is amazing how much these objects can tell us about ancient society. I find myself captivated by how an object so small can echo through the ages.