Sestertius of Alexander Severus 

Curator: The object before us is a sestertius, a Roman coin, bearing the image of Alexander Severus. Its weight clocks in at just over 20 grams. Editor: It's amazing how something so small can feel so weighty. Looking at the portrait, there's a sense of authority but also wear, you know? Curator: Indeed. Coins like this weren't just currency; they were propaganda. They circulated the emperor's image and, by extension, his power, throughout the Empire. Editor: And what about the imagery on the reverse? The animal looks like a sacrifice, so this coin may carry an association with piety or appeasing divine forces. These associations become entangled with the emperor's power. Curator: Precisely. Examining the Sestertius helps reveal how the Roman emperors were able to consolidate power throughout society. Editor: This coin presents a convergence of imagery, economy, and power. All in something you can hold in your hand.