AE Faustina II 

Curator: What a find! Here we have an ancient coin, specifically, an AE Faustina II, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels so weighty, doesn't it? The patina gives it this gorgeous depth, like secrets whispering through the bronze. Curator: Indeed. Struck in honor of Faustina the Younger, wife of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Coins like these weren't just currency. Editor: Oh, of course, propaganda! A little portable billboard, crafting her image. The portrait, the goddess on the reverse… it's all intentional. I wonder what the people thought. Curator: A fascinating question! They were likely tools for reinforcing imperial power and ideals. Seeing her likeness everyday probably gave them a feeling of stability, right? Editor: Maybe. Or maybe just another reminder of who was in charge. I'm drawn to the textures, though. The wear and tear tells such a silent story. Curator: Well, however they experienced it, it is part of history now. It's a little window into their world. Editor: I guess we'll just keep searching for those stories, one coin at a time!