Sestertius of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums presents a sestertius, a Roman coin, depicting Antoninus Pius. It's a bronze piece, small but dense, weighing just over 21 grams. Editor: It's remarkable. The wear and patina give it a palpable sense of history, a tangible link to the past. The low relief and simple geometric shapes are very striking. Curator: Indeed. These coins served as propaganda, circulating images of the emperor throughout the vast Roman empire. They were crucial for maintaining his image. Editor: It’s interesting how the artist conveys authority and piety using only line, form, and the limited space of the coin. The composition is incredibly compact and centered. Curator: Absolutely. And the artistry! Consider how this tiny object embodies complex ideas about power, legitimacy, and the divine right of rulers in the Roman world. Editor: Examining it, I'm struck by the coin's endurance—a small artifact representing the grand sweep of history, still communicating across millennia. Curator: It’s a humbling thought. Thank you for sharing your insights.