Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 201s

Editor: Here we have a silver Denarius of Septimius Severus. What strikes me is the fact that even something as small as a coin can tell us so much. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Consider the material. Silver, mined and refined, then stamped with the Emperor’s image and a goddess. It speaks volumes about Roman control of resources and their dissemination of power. Who mined the silver? What was the labor like? These are the questions it brings up for me. Editor: It's amazing to think about the labor behind something we often overlook. Thanks for opening my eyes to a new way to look at art! Curator: Indeed. Materiality often reveals hidden histories.