Sestertius of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: Here we have a sestertius, a Roman coin, featuring Antoninus Pius, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's evocative, isn't it? So worn, you feel the weight of history physically, almost like holding power itself. Curator: Indeed. The coin's material composition—likely bronze—speaks to the vast Roman monetary system and the labor involved in its production. Consider also the minting process: each strike an act of replication and dissemination of imperial authority. Editor: And each individual coin is a micro-narrative of power, gender, and representation. Antoninus Pius, his image carefully crafted, a symbol of stability and prosperity in a complex, patriarchal society. Its distribution was a tool of control and propaganda. Curator: Precisely. The coin wasn't just money; it was a portable monument, a tactile declaration of Roman dominion and economic reach. Editor: This piece helps us reflect on how systems of power embed themselves within everyday objects. Curator: A testament to the enduring relationship between material culture and social narrative.