Denarius of Severus Alexander c. 222

Curator: Here we see a Denarius of Severus Alexander, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. The small, circular form is surprisingly compelling. Editor: Compelling in its worn texture, certainly. The patinated surface speaks to the passage of time, almost obscuring the figures it depicts. Curator: Indeed. The imagery—the emperor’s portrait on one side and a figure, perhaps a deity or personification, on the other—conveys power and imperial ideology. These symbols were vital for disseminating the emperor's image across his vast territory. Editor: The low relief, constrained by the coin's circular boundary, emphasizes specific lines and shapes; this economy of form must have been central to its design. Curator: And consider the cultural memory embedded within such an object. It's not just currency, it is a miniature cultural artifact reflecting the values and aspirations of the Roman Empire. Editor: I hadn’t thought about it like that before, thanks. Curator: My pleasure.