Sestertius? of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: Look at this Sestertius, a coin minted during the reign of Antoninus Pius. It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums and weighs nearly 20 grams. Editor: It has such a tactile presence, doesn't it? I'm immediately drawn to the way time has softened the details, yet the imperial profile remains so dignified. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like these functioned as propaganda, circulating the emperor's image and authority throughout the Roman world. This one likely served a political purpose. Editor: And not just political. The imagery of the capricorn and globe also points to the cosmos and the Emperor's place within the grand scheme of things. The symbols are working overtime here. Curator: It’s a powerful reminder that even the smallest objects can carry immense cultural and historical weight. Editor: Indeed. Seeing something so ancient made and handled by countless individuals connects us to a palpable past.