Sestertius of Lucius Verus c. 2th century

Curator: Look at this Sestertius, a bronze coin of Lucius Verus from the Harvard Art Museums. There's something incredibly haunting about the decay of the material, isn't there? Editor: Absolutely. I see the figure of Lucius Verus and what appears to be a goddess on the reverse, perhaps Pax, radiating an almost ghostly peace. Curator: It's fascinating how a single object embodies so much about Roman imperial power and economic production, its value intrinsically tied to the labor extracted to mine the metal. Editor: And each emperor used these emblems to communicate power and ideal virtues. Pax here symbolized stability and divine favor during Verus's reign. Curator: Even the coin's wear tells a story, revealing constant circulation and handling, a direct link to Roman daily life and trade networks. Editor: It's a tiny window into a vast empire, where symbols and power were intertwined. Curator: A fascinating relic, indeed. Editor: It certainly makes you think about what we value.