Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 201 - 206

Editor: This is a Denarius of Septimius Severus from the Harvard Art Museums. Given its weight, it feels remarkably small, yet the details are quite intricate. What strikes you about the composition of this coin? Curator: I am intrigued by the semiotic interplay between the portrait on one side and the allegorical scene on the other. Note how the emperor's profile, framed by the laurel wreath, contrasts with the depiction of Concordia, embodying harmony. Editor: So, the coin’s value isn't just monetary; it's also symbolic. Curator: Precisely. Consider the careful arrangement of text around both images. Each element contributes to a cohesive visual argument about power and order. Editor: Fascinating. It makes you think about how much we imbue objects with meaning through their design. Curator: Indeed. We learn about a culture through the study of its art.