Coin of Faustina the Elder c. 2th century

Curator: This is a coin of Faustina the Elder, Roman Empress and wife of Antoninus Pius. Editor: The patina of age really strikes me; it feels weighty, like a portal to another time. Curator: Absolutely. This coin provides insight into the power structures of the Roman Empire and the role of women within them, especially when considering how Faustina was deified after her death. Editor: The image of Faustina becomes iconic, reproduced and circulated. It reflects her image, but also the values that the Empire wished to project. Curator: Indeed, and it's fascinating how the creation of such objects shaped public perception and reinforced specific narratives around leadership and divinity. Editor: Seeing it reminds us how carefully constructed those images are, even thousands of years later.