Coin of Thessalonike under the Emperor Severus Alexander c. 3th century

Editor: This is a coin of Thessalonike, issued under Emperor Severus Alexander. Given its age and wear, how can we interpret its imagery beyond its immediate function as currency? Curator: Let's consider it as a form of propaganda. Coins like these weren't just money; they were tools used to project power and legitimacy. The image of Severus Alexander, for instance, reinforced his authority, but also situated him within a lineage of Roman rulers. How might this relate to contemporary issues of representation and power dynamics? Editor: So, it's less about simple economics and more about embedding social and political messages? Curator: Precisely. Think about who controlled the narrative then, and how these images might have been received differently by various groups within the empire. The coin becomes a site of intersecting power relations. What do you make of that idea? Editor: Fascinating. It definitely gives a deeper meaning to something I would have otherwise perceived as just an old coin.