Dupondius of Antoninus Pius c. 140 - 143

Curator: This is a Dupondius, a Roman coin, attributed to Antoninus Pius. It now resides at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's remarkable how time and handling have transformed this object. The patinated surface and pierced hole speak to its journey. Curator: Indeed. This coin, likely struck in copper alloy, would have circulated widely. The creation of such currency involved complex processes, from mining the raw materials to striking the final coin with its imperial imagery. Editor: The imagery is what fascinates me. Even in this worn state, we can discern symbolic figures. Coins weren't just currency; they were propaganda, visual reminders of imperial power and virtues. The iconography tells us a story about Antoninus Pius' reign. Curator: And the coin itself tells a story about labor and economy. Consider the thousands of people involved in the mining, refining, and minting of these coins. It’s a complex network of production and distribution. Editor: It's a powerful connection between the symbolic and the material. This small coin held so much economic and cultural weight. Curator: Precisely. Considering all the hands it has passed through, its survival is quite remarkable. Editor: It offers such a tangible link to the past. Food for thought.