Coin of Diocaesaria under Faustina II c. 161 - 175

Curator: This is a coin minted in Diocaesarea under the reign of Faustina II. It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums, its circular form telling a silent story. Editor: It’s striking. Its worn surface evokes a sense of history, a tangible link to a powerful figure in a patriarchal society. What was she trying to convey? Curator: Faustina II, as empress, was a conduit for projecting Roman power and virtue. Coins like this one are laden with symbols, each carefully chosen to convey messages of legitimacy. Editor: But what about the people who handled it? The market vendors, the soldiers – how did this representation of feminine power translate into the everyday lives of ordinary people? Did it reinforce or challenge their understanding of gender? Curator: Precisely! The symbols offer a window into how Roman society perceived its leaders, how virtues were codified and transmitted. It serves as a cultural memory of a time of imperial transition. Editor: These objects are like time capsules, aren't they? I wonder how many hands this coin passed through, and what stories it could tell about empire, class, and gender if only it could speak. Curator: It's a potent reminder that even the smallest objects carry immense cultural weight and can act as bridges between the past and the present. Editor: Absolutely. Thinking about this coin enriches my understanding of Roman society. It's a beautiful, powerful object.