Sestertius of Faustina II 161 - 176

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius featuring Faustina II. It's incredibly humbling to think that this small, worn coin represents a powerful historical figure. How do you interpret the significance of such an object? Curator: It's like holding a whisper from the past, isn’t it? For me, it’s a tangible link to the daily life of ancient Rome. Think of the hands this coin passed through, the stories it could tell. It's a portrait of power, yes, but also of trade, of economy, of the very pulse of a civilization. What stories does it whisper to you? Editor: I hadn't considered the economic aspect, more just the portrait itself. Curator: Exactly! It's a reminder that art isn't always grand; sometimes it's in the smallest, most everyday objects. It makes me wonder, what everyday object today will tell our story in two thousand years? Editor: A fascinating thought! It gives me a whole new perspective on the coin, and art in general.