As or Dupondius of Faustina I 147 - 161

Editor: This is an "As or Dupondius of Faustina I," a coin currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It appears heavily worn with age. What is your interpretation of this artwork, considering its historical context? Curator: These coins weren't just currency; they were powerful propaganda tools. Consider the image of Faustina I, the emperor's wife, carefully crafted to project ideals of Roman womanhood, reinforcing social structures and imperial power. Editor: So, even something as small as a coin could be used to uphold gender roles? Curator: Absolutely. Examining the images and inscriptions, we can understand the carefully constructed narrative of female virtue and imperial authority perpetuated within the Roman Empire. What can we learn from its circulation? Editor: I see now; it's not just a coin, it's a statement of power. Curator: Precisely, and a statement about the roles women were expected to embody. A tangible piece of ideology in everyday life.