As or Dupondius of Faustina II 161 - 176

Editor: This is a bronze coin, "As or Dupondius of Faustina II," located at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels very worn, like a tangible piece of history. What symbols stand out to you? Curator: The effigy of Faustina II is central. It embodies the idealized image of Roman womanhood, power, and dynastic continuity. The wear and corrosion speak to its journey, holding cultural memory. What does that journey evoke for you? Editor: It makes me think of all the hands it passed through and the stories it could tell. How do those symbols evolve over time? Curator: The symbolic language of coins shifted subtly but persistently. What was once a direct representation of power became a more complex symbol of economic and cultural exchange, its meaning evolving with each transaction. Editor: It’s fascinating how a simple coin can hold so much meaning and history. Curator: Indeed, it connects us to the past in ways we don't always appreciate.