As or Dupondius of Faustina I 147 - 161

Editor: This is an As or Dupondius coin of Faustina I, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The coin has a sort of ghostly quality to it. What symbols do you recognize in this work? Curator: Consider the coin as a tangible representation of power and memory. The image of Faustina immortalizes her, connecting her to the divine. The wear and corrosion speak to its journey through time, evoking a deep sense of history. What emotions do these symbols evoke in you? Editor: It's powerful to think of holding something that was once currency and is now a link to ancient Rome. I now see that a coin is more than just an object of utility. Thanks for helping me see that! Curator: Indeed. And contemplating its imagery allows us to connect with Roman values and beliefs about eternity.