Sestertius of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius of Antoninus Pius, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a small, tarnished bronze coin with a portrait on one side. What can you tell me about the significance of the materials and the mass production of such objects during this era? Curator: The coin’s material—bronze—speaks volumes. It wasn't silver or gold, immediately placing it within a certain economic stratum. Consider the labor involved: mining, smelting, striking. This wasn’t just about art; it was about resource extraction, industrial processes, and the distribution of power. Editor: So, it's less about the image and more about what the coin represents as an object of material culture? Curator: Precisely. Think about how many of these were produced. Each one facilitated trade, paid soldiers, and literally embodied Roman authority. Its value lies in its role within the system of production, consumption, and control. Editor: That’s a different way of looking at it; I never thought about it like that. Curator: It reframes art from a unique expression into a component of a vast economic and political machine.