As of Lucius Verus 

Editor: This is a coin, "As of Lucius Verus," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's worn, but you can still make out the image of a figure. What can we learn from an artifact like this? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about power and representation. Though small, it circulated widely, carrying the emperor's image into everyday life. How might this have impacted the perception and legitimacy of Roman rule? Editor: It’s like an early form of mass media, shaping public opinion. Did the imagery change much over time to reflect shifts in political ideology? Curator: Absolutely. The choice of imagery, inscriptions, and even the metal used, reflected and reinforced the emperor's agenda and projected his desired image to the masses. It's a fascinating look at the intersection of art and politics. Editor: I never thought of coins as propaganda before. I’ll definitely look at them differently now. Curator: Indeed, they offer a tangible connection to the past and invite us to consider how power is constructed and disseminated through visual culture.