Coin of Amphipolis under Faustina II c. 2th century

Curator: This coin of Amphipolis, bearing the likeness of Faustina II, really embodies the political power accessible to women in the Roman Empire. Editor: There's something striking about the texture; the verdigris gives the coin a worn, tactile quality. Curator: Absolutely, these objects offer insight into the lives of powerful women. Faustina's image on currency served as a form of propaganda. It connected her to the everyday lives of people across the empire. Editor: The composition directs the eye to her profile, regal and serene; even in this state, the craftsmanship is evident. Curator: Her position as empress gave her cultural influence, but the coin reminds us that this power was inextricably linked to her husband's authority and the overall patriarchal framework. Editor: I'm left contemplating how such a small object could carry such weight, both literally and figuratively. Curator: Precisely. It serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between gender, power, and representation in antiquity.