Sestertius of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: Here we have a Sestertius of Antoninus Pius, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It has this weathered, almost lunar feel, doesn't it? Makes you wonder what stories it could tell. Curator: Absolutely. The materiality is key – heavy bronze, 24.82 grams. Consider the labor involved in its production, from the mining of the metal to the striking of the coin itself. Editor: It feels like touching time itself, connecting me with this man who once held such power...or at least his face on a coin. Curator: Indeed. It speaks volumes about Roman power structures, circulation of wealth, and the means of immortalizing leadership. Editor: It all boils down to legacy, doesn't it? What we leave behind and how it's remembered. This little coin is a hefty reminder of that.