Sestertius of Antoninus Pius, Rome c. 140 - 144

Curator: Here we have a sestertius created under the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. The piece is made of bronze and weighs roughly 21 grams. Editor: It's compelling how something so small can feel so weighted with history. I'm drawn to the patina of age, it speaks to the journey this object has undertaken. Curator: Indeed. The emperor's portrait, though worn, still conveys a sense of authority, linking the ruler's image with prosperity and the might of Rome. Editor: It's fascinating to consider the politics of representation here. Coins like these were tools to project power and solidify the emperor’s image. Curator: Consider also the goddess on the reverse, likely Roma or Pax, embodiments of Roman power and peace, concepts the emperor wished to embody. Editor: Looking at this, I reflect on how empires rise and fall, and this coin is a poignant relic from that vast history. Curator: And I am left pondering the ways in which symbols and imagery continue to shape our perception of power.