Sestertius of Alexander Severus c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a sestertius, a bronze coin, minted during the reign of Alexander Severus. Editor: It’s like holding a tiny, weathered mirror reflecting a bygone era. You almost feel the weight of history in your hand. Curator: Precisely. The coin, dating back to the 3rd century, bears a portrait of the emperor himself. You can still make out the profile. Editor: What strikes me is the patina, that green layer of time. It's the visual echo of centuries passed. Makes you wonder about all the hands it's passed through. Curator: The images and inscriptions were carefully chosen to convey power and legitimacy, a form of propaganda in miniature. Editor: It speaks volumes about power, doesn't it? A little metal disc meant to impress, to last, to shape perceptions. In its own way, it's succeeded. Curator: It does make you appreciate the artistry, how a ruler tried to control his image and the passage of time. Editor: It reminds us that even emperors fade, but art, in its humblest forms, can sometimes endure.