Sestertius of Faustina I 147 - 161

Curator: Here we have a sestertius of Faustina I, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, made of bronze, and features a portrait of Faustina on one side and a temple on the other. Editor: It’s evocative, isn’t it? So weathered, yet somehow still bearing the weight of an empire. I feel a strange reverence. Curator: The temple, quite common on Roman coinage, symbolizes the power and piety of the ruling family, visually linking them to the divine and to the stability of the state. The portrait of Faustina herself reinforces this connection. Editor: Absolutely, the portrait is so idealized, almost ethereal. It projects a sense of timeless authority, but looking at it I just see what empires obscure. Curator: Perhaps, but it’s also a connection to the past, a potent symbol of enduring Roman power and imperial succession. Editor: Hmm, I see your point. Still, for me, it's a reminder of what remains of empires, their symbols faded and repurposed over time. Curator: Food for thought. Thanks. Editor: You too!