Denarius of Severus Alexander c. 228

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Severus Alexander. It's a small coin, but packed with history, literally bearing the emperor's image. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: Coins like this weren't just money; they were propaganda. The emperor's portrait circulated widely, projecting power and legitimacy throughout the Roman Empire. Consider who controlled the imagery and what messages they wanted to convey. Editor: So, it’s less about the coin's monetary value and more about its symbolic value? Curator: Precisely. The imagery, the inscriptions – they all served to reinforce the emperor's authority. We must ask, what did this imagery mean to the people who used this coin daily? Editor: That puts it in a whole new light for me. I'll definitely think about that next time I see ancient coins. Curator: Excellent. That’s the first step to understanding their historical context.