Coin of Sardis under Severus Alexander c. 222 - 235

Curator: This is a coin from Sardis, minted during the reign of Severus Alexander. Editor: It looks worn, almost like a pebble smoothed by time and handling. Curator: Precisely. The coin's design features a bust of the emperor on one side, and inscription on the other, both exhibiting a stark formality characteristic of Roman coinage. Editor: What strikes me is the physicality of it—the copper alloy, how it was struck, the traces of wear that speak to its circulation and use. Curator: The Imperial portrait is rendered in high relief, while the inscription showcases an interesting distribution of text within a circular design. Editor: It makes me wonder, how many hands did this pass through? What markets did it fuel? This material object connects us to a vast network of labor and trade. Curator: A fascinating lens through which to view this historical artifact. Editor: Indeed, a coin, yes, but also a raw material shaped by social forces.