Sestertius of Faustina II 176 - 180

Editor: This is the Sestertius of Faustina II from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small, weathered coin, and I'm immediately struck by the contrast between the detail still visible in Faustina's portrait and the overall sense of age and decay. What stories do you think this piece tells? Curator: For me, it whispers of resilience. Imagine the hands it passed through, the empires it witnessed. It's a tangible link to Faustina, an empress whose image was carefully crafted, yet here she is, worn but not forgotten. What do you make of the figure on the reverse? Does it resonate with any particular meaning for you? Editor: I see a figure, maybe a warrior or deity, holding a spear. It's fascinating how such a small object can feel so monumental in its connection to the past. Curator: Exactly! It makes me think about how we, too, will leave our mark, however small, on the grand timeline. It’s sort of humbling, isn’t it? Editor: Absolutely! I never thought a coin could make me ponder my existence like that!