Denarius of Faustina II 161 - 176

Curator: Here we have a Denarius of Faustina II, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The immediate impression is its diminutive scale, yet the weight of history it carries feels immense. Curator: Absolutely. These coins served not only as currency but also as propaganda tools, disseminating images of the empress and conveying imperial power. Editor: Indeed. The effigy of Faustina connects to a lineage of powerful women, evoking goddesses and ideals of beauty and strength, especially the image of a standing figure, likely a goddess, on the reverse side. Curator: The distribution of these coins served a crucial function in reinforcing the Roman Empire’s cultural narratives and consolidating its political control, reaching even the farthest corners of the realm. Editor: Thinking about the coin as a talisman, it bridges the personal and the political, reflecting enduring ideas about female power. Curator: It’s a potent reminder of how material objects are charged with cultural significance. Editor: Exactly. From the goddess imagery to the practical function, it all converges here.