Denarius of Faustina II 161 - 176

Curator: This is a denarius, a Roman silver coin, featuring Faustina II. Editor: There is something deeply melancholic about this object, isn't there? The worn texture, the effaced details…it whispers of time's relentless passage. Curator: Precisely. The image of Faustina, wife of Marcus Aurelius, projects imperial authority. The coin, as currency, was a symbol of Roman power. Editor: Observe the composition: the profile portrait, the circular form, the lettering that frames the image, all contained within this small, tactile object. Curator: The image of Faustina, deified, connected her to Roman ideals and values, serving to legitimize her successors. She became an icon. Editor: It's fascinating how such a utilitarian object carries so much semiotic weight. This single coin shows how meaning is embedded in form. Curator: Indeed, the images and symbols found here remind us of the cultural memory and continuity that artwork provides. Editor: A powerful intersection of politics, portraiture, and power, miniaturized for mass circulation. There's so much to unpack.