Sestertius of Antoninus Pius c. 157 - 158

Editor: This sestertius of Antoninus Pius, residing at the Harvard Art Museums, offers a glimpse into the past. The green patina speaks volumes. What can we learn from its materiality and production? Curator: This coin isn't just about its image; it's about labor. Consider the mining and smelting of the bronze, the die-making process, and the minting itself. How did these processes reflect and shape Roman society? Editor: So, it's less about Pius's image and more about the hands that made it and the economy that circulated it? Curator: Precisely. The coin reveals the resources consumed, the labor involved, and its role in the Roman economic system. It challenges our conventional understanding of art by highlighting material culture. Editor: Fascinating! I'll never look at ancient coins the same way. Curator: Indeed, viewing art through a materialist lens can unlock new perspectives.