Dupondius of Crispina c. 180 - 183

Curator: Before us is a Roman Dupondius coin of Crispina. Editor: It looks so worn, almost ghostly—a tangible connection to the past. Curator: Indeed. The coin, likely minted during the reign of her husband Commodus, reveals fascinating insights into the representation of women in imperial Rome. Editor: I am struck by how Crispina is presented. Coins like this served as propaganda, reinforcing the emperor's power, but also subtly shaping the role and image of the empress. The imagery of Vesta, or perhaps Pax, seems almost an endorsement of idealized traditional feminine virtue or perhaps she's simply presented as a figure promoting peace and prosperity. Curator: That’s a great point. These symbols were carefully chosen to project power and societal values. It also subtly reminds us of the limitations placed upon women, even empresses, within that political and social framework. Editor: A tiny object, yet it speaks volumes about identity and power. Curator: Absolutely, a fascinating intersection of art and social history.