Denarius of Faustina I 147 - 161

Curator: This is a denarius of Faustina I, located at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a silver coin weighing just over 3 grams. Editor: It feels remarkably austere, even cold, given the subject. The metal itself seems worn smooth, mirroring the passage of time. Curator: Indeed, as a Roman Empress, Faustina's image was strategically disseminated. This coin functioned as a form of imperial propaganda, reinforcing her image as a symbol of virtue and stability. Editor: The composition, though, is striking. The crisp profile on one side, set against the abstract rendering of a goddess on the other. It is surprisingly modern. Curator: Think about the context: portraiture served to establish not merely a likeness, but power itself. The female figure here, often deified, is subject to patriarchal power structures, represented through circulation and ownership. Editor: But the cool detachment of the silver also conveys, perhaps unintentionally, the weight of such power, the remoteness of empire. Curator: Perhaps a commentary on the relationship between ruler and ruled is embedded here. Editor: Yes, the object's form and material properties resonate, offering clues into the historical and cultural complexities.