Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 210

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Septimius Severus, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as both fragile and enduring; the silver surface weathered but the impression still so vivid. Curator: Indeed. The coin's circular form contains both a portrait and an allegorical figure, framed by carefully inscribed text. Consider the semiotic weight of these choices. Editor: Absolutely! We see Septimius Severus himself, deified through the visual language of the coin, securing his legacy via potent symbols of power. Curator: Note the details in his hair, almost chaotic, contrasting the rigid lines defining his profile and the text surrounding the figure. Editor: It's a fascinating encapsulation of imperial ambition meeting the constraints of material culture. Curator: A powerful testament, even now, to the enduring influence of visual form and symbol. Editor: I concur! It reminds us how carefully crafted these objects were to sway public opinion.