Coin of Nysa under Faustina II c. 175

Curator: Welcome. Here we have a coin of Nysa, likely minted under Faustina II, and currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs just over 7 grams. Editor: The immediate impact is… worn. The surfaces have certainly seen better days, but I can still detect a certain order in the compositions. Curator: Coins like this were not mere currency; they were powerful instruments of imperial propaganda. The image of Faustina II would evoke notions of stability and perhaps even divinity. Editor: Indeed, the use of relief, even in this diminished state, offers a sense of depth and authority. The circular format encloses the images, creating a self-contained world. Curator: Exactly. And on the reverse, we see imagery connected to Nysa, likely celebrating local deities or significant figures, thereby binding the imperial image to regional identities. Editor: Even now, the coin’s materiality—its very weight and feel—connects us tangibly to a distant past. A fascinating example of form serving function. Curator: Absolutely. This coin serves as a microcosm of a vast empire, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols. Editor: A potent reminder that even fragmented forms can speak volumes.