Sestertius of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Editor: This is a Sestertius, or Roman coin, of Antoninus Pius, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks worn, of course, but I'm struck by how it functions as both currency and propaganda. What do you make of the imagery? Curator: Coins such as this served as powerful tools for imperial messaging. Consider the portrait of Antoninus Pius: it's not just a likeness, but a carefully crafted image of authority and virtue meant for wide circulation. How does this compare to other forms of public art from that era? Editor: I suppose it's like a miniature sculpture, but distributed much more broadly than a statue in a forum. So its reach was unparalleled? Curator: Precisely. And the imagery on the reverse, often depicting deities or allegorical figures, reinforced the emperor's connection to the gods and the prosperity of the empire. This coin is a fascinating artifact, revealing the intersection of art, politics, and daily life in ancient Rome. Editor: Absolutely, I’ll never look at a coin the same way again!