Sestertius of Faustina I 141 - 146

Curator: Here we have a sestertius of Faustina I, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There’s a weighty, earthy feel to it, I must say. The coppery surface shows its age, the wear and tear of hands and pockets. Curator: Indeed. Note the careful rendering of Faustina’s profile. The incised inscription that frames her image lends it a certain power, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: The process of minting is fascinating— the dies, the labor of the artisans. It tells a story of Roman industry and the vast resources they commanded. Curator: What strikes me is the economy of form. How the artist manages to convey so much information with such restraint. Editor: It makes you consider the sheer volume of these coins produced, circulated, lost. Each one a small testament to the economic and social fabric. Curator: I appreciate how this coin captures an essence, a distillation of imperial authority into a portable object. Editor: A reminder that even something as seemingly simple as a coin is laden with historical significance.