Sestertius of Faustina I 147 - 161

Editor: This is a Sestertius of Faustina I, located at the Harvard Art Museums. Looking at the worn details, I wonder about the power dynamics at play. How was her image used and controlled, and what did it signify to the people? Curator: Exactly. Consider how Roman imperial women, often denied direct political power, had their likenesses circulated on coinage. This wasn't merely portraiture; it was strategic propaganda. What messages were these images meant to convey about female virtue and imperial stability? Editor: So, even something as small as a coin became a tool for projecting a specific image of the imperial family? Curator: Precisely. And consider how Faustina's deification after death further solidified her idealized image. This coin is a potent reminder of how power and representation intersected in Roman society. I wonder how this would impact the status of women? Editor: It’s fascinating to think about the layers of meaning embedded in such a small object. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: Of course. The coin prompts us to think critically about how power is visualized and disseminated, even today.