Dupondius of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a Dupondius, a coin of Antoninus Pius, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Its weathered bronze surfaces speak volumes even before we discuss its imagery. What story does its materiality tell you? Curator: The coin's bronze composition is really interesting. Its production signifies Roman control over resources and labor. The very act of minting was a display of power and a means of mass communication. Editor: Communication through currency? Curator: Exactly! Consider the labor involved: mining, smelting, engraving the die. Each coin reflects the economic and social relationships of the Roman Empire, but also consumption, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely. It's fascinating to think about the hands this coin passed through, the transactions it facilitated. It's more than just metal; it's a tangible connection to a past economy. Curator: Precisely! Examining this coin reveals the means of production and consumption inherent in empire.