As of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: Here we have a coin, "As of Antoninus Pius," part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, bearing the image of the Roman emperor himself. Editor: It's heavily patinated, isn’t it? You can almost feel the weight of time and the earthy elements embedded within the bronze or copper. Curator: Indeed. These coins were tools of imperial representation. Consider their wide circulation—each coin served as a miniature portrait spreading Antoninus Pius' image and authority. Editor: And think about the labor involved! The mining of the metals, the striking of the die… each one touched by numerous hands, from the artisan to the merchant, down to the everyday citizen. Curator: Precisely. The coin becomes a nexus point through which the economics and politics of an empire meet. Editor: It makes you wonder about all the transactions and stories this small piece of metal has witnessed. A whole world in miniature. Curator: A testament to power, commerce, and artistry, all intertwined. Editor: I find myself seeing less a portrait of an emperor and more of a material record of human enterprise.