As of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have a coin from the era of Antoninus Pius. It's small, seemingly insignificant, but heavy with the weight of history. Editor: It looks like a relic, doesn't it? The texture is rough, almost like it's been unearthed after centuries. Curator: Precisely. Consider the labor involved in its production. Each coin, a product of mining, smelting, engraving, and distribution, fueled the Roman economy. Editor: And what about the image it bears? The portrait of Antoninus Pius reinforces his power, but what did his rule mean for those outside the elite? The oppressed, the enslaved... Curator: The material's durability allowed the message to spread, influencing culture. It's a testament to how resources are converted into symbols of power. Editor: It forces us to confront the uncomfortable reality that even something as simple as a coin could play a role in maintaining inequalities. Curator: Absolutely. It's a microcosm of larger systems. Editor: A grim reminder of the complexities of the past.