Sestertius of Antoninus Pius c. 139

Curator: Here we have a Sestertius, a Roman coin, bearing the likeness of Emperor Antoninus Pius. Editor: It's small, but the weight of history feels immense. I'm struck by how worn it is, like a story etched and re-etched. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like these are more than just currency. They are artifacts reflecting the emperor's power, portraying an idealized image that reinforces imperial ideology and Roman values. Editor: I’m curious about the goddess figure on the reverse. Does it represent a particular virtue associated with Antoninus Pius' reign? Curator: Precisely. Such imagery on the coin was carefully selected to underscore the emperor's association with prosperity, peace, and divine favor, projecting stability and legitimacy. Editor: It's incredible how such a humble object can carry so much symbolic weight. A little window into a world long past. Curator: Indeed. The Sestertius serves as a lens through which we can examine the intersection of power, representation, and social values in ancient Rome.