Antoninianus of Etruscilla 249 - 251

Curator: This is an Antoninianus coin of Etruscilla, held in the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small, silver coin weighing just 4.55 grams. Editor: It feels like such a weighty object despite its size, doesn’t it? I'm immediately struck by how worn it is, how many hands it must have passed through. Curator: Absolutely. On one side, we see a bust of Etruscilla herself, while the other features a seated figure, likely a representation of a deity. Editor: It's fascinating how these images of power were circulated. The act of carrying this coin was an act of upholding the power structures of the time, wasn't it? This little thing helped to normalize empire. Curator: Precisely. Coins were vital tools of imperial propaganda. They perpetuated specific images and narratives. It's like a miniature billboard circulating through society. Editor: Reflecting on this Antoninianus, I’m reminded of how even everyday objects can carry complex histories of power and representation. Curator: I agree; this coin invites us to consider the enduring nature of symbols.