Sestertius of Faustina II 161 - 176

Curator: What strikes me immediately about this sestertius of Faustina II is its intimate scale. The portrait feels like a private glimpse. Editor: Indeed. This bronze coin, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums, serves as a fascinating artifact of Roman imperial power and identity. Curator: Her image on the coin is more than just a likeness; it's an ideal. What did Faustina represent to the empire? Editor: As the wife of Marcus Aurelius, she was elevated, literally minted into a symbol of virtue, motherhood, and imperial stability at a time of political transition. The goddess figure on the reverse reinforces this idea. Curator: I find that fascinating. Each element, from her hairstyle to the inscription, carefully constructs her role and projects that to the masses. Editor: Absolutely. Currency wasn't just money; it was propaganda, a crucial medium through which the emperor and empress communicated with the people. Curator: Thinking about the journey this little coin has taken, from circulation to museum display, makes it feel deeply significant. Editor: Precisely. It's a potent reminder of how images are always embedded in power and continue to echo through time.