Sestertius of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: This sestertius, attributed to Antoninus Pius, offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman imperial artistry. Editor: Well, my first thought is...weathered! It feels like holding time itself. Curator: Indeed. The patina, accumulated over centuries, testifies to its age and the forces it has endured. Note how it enriches the surface. Editor: It's more than just enrichment. It's like each imperfection tells a story. I can almost feel the hands that held it. Curator: Precisely. The coin's materiality, its weight of 21.08 grams, anchors us to a tangible past, a system of value, and a symbol of authority. Editor: It's humbling. A reminder of empires risen and fallen, reduced to this little disc. Food for thought, isn’t it? Curator: Indeed, a concentrated testament to civilization and its inevitable transformations. Editor: Beautifully put. It makes you wonder what stories our present pennies will tell in two thousand years.