Coin of Bostra under Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Curator: This is a coin of Bostra under Severus Alexander, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It's a humble piece, isn't it? Editor: Indeed, its weathered surface speaks of the material realities of its creation and use. I wonder about the copper sources and the labor involved in its minting. Curator: The composition itself is intriguing. The obverse features a profile, precise and stylized, while the reverse presents a contrasting image, perhaps of a deity or local symbol. Editor: The weight of 4.71 grams also reminds us that this was a tool of commerce, a medium of exchange deeply embedded in the social fabric. What value did it hold? Curator: Its enduring presence lets us think about the aesthetics of power in a society long gone, and how they intersect with trade and daily life. Editor: Precisely. This small coin encapsulates a vast network of production, exchange, and societal power.