Dupondius of Antoninus Pius c. 140 - 143

Curator: This is a dupondius, a Roman coin, of Antoninus Pius, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The patinated surface gives it a worn, almost spectral quality. The low relief makes the figures blend into the coin's form. Curator: The figure of Antoninus Pius, like all Imperial portraiture, functions as a potent symbol of Roman power and imperial virtue. Editor: The composition is incredibly simple, emphasizing the circle of the coin itself. It suggests something complete, an encompassing power. Curator: The coin acted as a miniature ambassador of Roman identity, circulating images of power and prosperity throughout the empire. Editor: Despite its diminutive scale, the artist successfully conveyed a sense of dignity and authority, playing with texture. It's a fascinating contradiction. Curator: Considering its creation as both art and currency is a complex task. Still, this coin reminds us of the enduring human need to translate power into symbolic form. Editor: I appreciate how the coin’s materiality and form coalesce to tell a richer story.