Sestertius of Faustina II 161 - 176

Curator: Here we have a sestertius of Faustina II, a copper-alloy coin, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately striking is its aged patina; you can practically feel the weight of history etched into its surface. Curator: The composition is quite traditional for its time. On one side, we see the bust of Faustina II herself, rendered in profile. The other depicts a standing figure, likely a representation of a deity. Editor: I'm more interested in the labor, the hands involved in its creation. How many were made, how were they distributed, what transactions did they facilitate? The social context is key. Curator: While those are valid considerations, let’s also look at the semiotics. The portrait of Faustina II served as propaganda, a carefully constructed image of imperial power and legitimacy. Editor: I agree about the power dynamic, but I see the coin itself as evidence of Roman production and commerce. Who mined the metal? Who smelted it? How was the image reproduced en masse? Curator: A compelling point. Ultimately, it's a tiny object that embodies grand ideas. Editor: Yes, a small object forged from a complex network of materials and labor.