As of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: This is a bronze coin, "As of Antoninus Pius," currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, the coin whispers stories of empires. The patina of age gives it a solemn, almost melancholic feel. Curator: Antoninus Pius, Roman emperor from 138 to 161 AD, projected an image of peace and prosperity which is echoed through similar coinage. Editor: Coins were powerful symbols. This isn't just currency; it's a miniature billboard, circulating Antoninus Pius' image and, by extension, Roman power itself. Curator: Precisely. And this particular coin, in its preservation, gives a physical impression of the scope of Rome's influence. Editor: Seeing how it weathered the ages, I can't help but wonder what hands exchanged it, what daily lives it touched. Curator: It’s a tangible link to an era, carefully designed to influence hearts and minds. Editor: Indeed, this small object carries an immense weight of history.