Sestertius of Antoninus Pius c. 140 - 143

Editor: This object is a Sestertius, a coin of Antoninus Pius at the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite worn, but I'm struck by how such a small object could carry so much power. What symbols are at play here? Curator: Indeed. Look at the portrait, the emperor's visage itself became a symbol of Roman authority. But even more, consider the reverse side. What figures do you see, and what stories might they tell about Pius's reign and values? The coin’s imagery transmits carefully constructed messages about power, prosperity, and divine favor. Editor: It's amazing to think of the coin's journey through time, carrying these encoded meanings. Curator: Precisely! Each wear mark, each trace of corrosion, tells a silent story of cultural memory and continuity.