Sestertius of Antoninus Pius, Rome c. 147 - 148

Curator: Here we have a Sestertius of Antoninus Pius, a Roman coin from his reign, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, the wear and patination evoke a sense of temporal distance. It's a powerful reminder of the endurance of empire, but also its decay. Curator: Indeed. One side presents a profile of Antoninus Pius himself, his features rendered with the imperial gravitas we expect. The reverse depicts a standing figure, likely a personification of a virtue or deity associated with his rule. Editor: These images were meticulously circulated as instruments of power—projecting a specific narrative about the emperor's character and reign. What was the sociopolitical context of its minting? Curator: He sought to portray himself as a restorer, a bringer of peace and prosperity. The coin becomes a potent symbol of that ideal, almost a charm for stability. Editor: Charms can be manipulative. A coin can also stand for the economic and social structures that upheld these power dynamics, often unjustly. Curator: A fair point. It’s a reminder that even the smallest object can carry immense historical weight and conflicting interpretations. Editor: Precisely. It underscores the importance of critically examining the narratives embedded in such seemingly innocuous objects.