As or Dupondius of Faustina I 147 - 161

Editor: This is an As or Dupondius coin of Faustina I, weighing just over 10 grams and residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. The green patina of age gives it a solemn, almost ghostly feel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see potent symbols. The portrait of Faustina is not merely a likeness, but an ideal, projecting imperial power and virtue. What about the figure on the reverse? Consider her attributes. Editor: It looks like a woman holding a staff or scepter... perhaps a goddess? Curator: Precisely! And the inscription around the figure? These aren't just decorations; they're carefully chosen to convey specific messages about the empress, her lineage, and the prosperity she represents. Editor: So, every element, even on something as small as a coin, carries symbolic weight? Curator: Absolutely. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how the Romans constructed and disseminated their power. Editor: I never thought of coins as being so deliberately symbolic. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It shows that even mundane objects can hold deep cultural meaning if you look closely enough.