Dupondius of Antoninus Pius c. 156 - 157

Curator: This is a dupondius of Antoninus Pius, a coin created during his reign, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's remarkably humble in its materiality, isn't it? The worn bronze speaks volumes. Curator: It does. Consider the imagery, though: the bust of Antoninus Pius, juxtaposed with what appears to be a figure of Pax, the Roman goddess of peace, offering us a window into the emperor's aspirations for his reign. Editor: The production of coinage served the political ends of Antoninus. We should not forget the process of extraction, the networks that created these coins and the power relations they imply. Curator: True, but the goddess signifies more than just literal peace. The symbolic intention, the visual language, sought to project an era of prosperity and divine favor. Editor: But the worn surface disrupts any easy reading. Labor, trade, and Roman expansion are etched into every scratch. Curator: Indeed, both perspectives reveal layers of meaning embedded within this single coin. Editor: Absolutely, materiality and symbolism, each offering a distinct lens onto the past.