Coin of Antioch on the Orontes under Severus Alexander 222 - 235

Curator: Ah, this humble thing—the "Coin of Antioch on the Orontes under Severus Alexander," residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's not just a coin, but a portal to another time. Editor: It looks like buried treasure! That patina, the worn details… it whispers of stories untold. All that remains of empire is reduced to pocket change. Curator: Exactly! Coins were miniature billboards. Severus Alexander, though not the engraver, used it to broadcast his image and legitimacy. The Orontes, a vital river, symbolized prosperity. Editor: The weight of symbols! I imagine the weight of a human being holding this, and the way the images wear against their skin. Like memory, layered and rubbed smooth. Curator: Consider, too, the symbolic power given to objects of monetary value. What’s fascinating is how the messages evolve or fade as the coin passes through different hands. Editor: It makes you wonder about the hands this coin passed through. The hopes, fears, and transactions it witnessed. Curator: Indeed. It prompts us to ponder legacy, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. A small thing, but profoundly affecting.