Sestertius of Faustina II 176 - 180

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius of Faustina II. The coin is worn, made of bronze, and depicts a portrait and an image of what appears to be a bird. What can we learn from this coin? Curator: I see a mass-produced object, circulating within a vast economic system. Its materiality speaks to labor extraction, trade routes, and the very notion of value during that period. How does its form reflect the empire's power? Editor: So, it's more than just an image of Faustina; it's about the resources and labor that went into its creation? Curator: Precisely. The means of production and the social context of its usage are crucial to understanding its true significance. Editor: That definitely gives me a new perspective on something as seemingly simple as a coin. Curator: Indeed. Reflecting on the materials and the process, we begin to understand the broader implications of this small object.