As of Antoninus Pius c. 140

Curator: Here we have a coin, attributed to Antoninus Pius, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking how the patina gives it a sort of ghostly appearance, almost as if it's whispering secrets across millennia. Curator: Coins like this were not just currency. They were powerful propaganda tools, circulating images and messages of the emperor throughout the vast Roman empire. Think about how this might influence the perception of power dynamics. Editor: Exactly! The image of Antoninus Pius, worn yet still visible, evokes ideas of legacy, power, and the enduring nature of symbols. Curator: Despite the wear, the coin carries echoes of the emperor’s reign and the sociopolitical narratives they aimed to propagate. Editor: It makes you wonder, what messages do our pocket change carry, and how will they be interpreted in the future? Curator: An intriguing point to ponder as we consider the legacy of power and representation.