Sestertius of Faustina II 161 - 176

Editor: Here we have a Roman Sestertius of Faustina II, a hefty bronze coin from the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes me is how this everyday object of commerce was also a vehicle for imperial propaganda. What do you think? Curator: Precisely. This coin is less about the image and more about its material impact. Bronze, a common metal, signifies accessibility, but the coin's weight also speaks of the labor involved in its production and circulation. How does its physicality influence its meaning? Editor: I never thought about the weight being part of the message itself. Curator: Consider the social context. Currency facilitates trade, but it also imprints power structures. This coin represents both daily transactions and the pervasive reach of the Roman Empire. Editor: That makes me think about the labor involved. Curator: Indeed, examining the processes of extraction, minting, and distribution provides a new layer of insight. Editor: This was an enlightening exchange. Curator: A materialist perspective really does offer a different kind of understanding.