Sestertius of Faustina II c. 2th century

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this sestertius, a bronze coin depicting Faustina II. Editor: It has a somber feel, doesn't it? The low relief and corrosion give it a ghostly quality. Curator: Indeed. Consider the labor invested in its production—mining the copper, striking the die. These processes were essential to Roman economic and social life. Editor: And consider how Faustina II is presented: her image, meant to evoke power, but now softened with age. What stories could this coin tell about the ideals of Roman womanhood? Curator: It also prompts reflections on trade routes and the dissemination of power. This one small object embodies vast networks. Editor: Yes, and how symbols endure even as empires crumble. Curator: A powerful reminder of the deep relationships between material and culture. Editor: Absolutely. It’s haunting to observe the echoes of a distant era.