Denarius of Faustina II c. 125 - 130

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Faustina II from the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, silver, worn smooth by time. It feels like holding history itself. What do you see in a humble coin like this? Curator: I see power, actually. Faustina wasn't just a pretty face on a coin, but the wife of an emperor, capable of wielding influence. This coin, though small, was a statement, a tool to broadcast her image and solidify her power. It’s like a miniature billboard, projecting authority. Editor: So, it's propaganda, in a way? Curator: Precisely! And isn’t it fascinating how even everyday objects can be vessels of political messaging? It makes me wonder what our own coins will say about us centuries from now. Editor: Absolutely. It's like a tangible message across time. Thanks!