Coin of Faustina II 161 - 176

Editor: This is a coin of Faustina II. What strikes me is how intimate such a commonplace object becomes, bearing the empress's image. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It prompts questions about the construction of female power in the Roman Empire. Consider how Faustina II's image was circulated. What narratives did it reinforce or challenge about imperial women and their roles in a patriarchal society? Editor: That’s fascinating. I hadn’t considered how gender informs its meaning. Curator: Exactly. What did this representation mean for those who handled it daily? Editor: Thinking about its function as currency really changes my perspective. Curator: Indeed. Everyday objects provide valuable insights into the social structures of the past.