As of Lucius Verus 

Editor: This is a bronze coin, "As of Lucius Verus," residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks quite worn, but it's still amazing to hold a piece of history. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: Well, the circulation of coinage was highly controlled, and therefore a powerful tool. Coins like this not only facilitated trade, but broadcast imperial imagery and political messaging throughout the Roman Empire. How do you think this particular coin would have shaped public perception of Lucius Verus? Editor: I suppose it presented an official, idealized version of him. Did everyone have access to these coins? Curator: Yes, in a way. Currency touched many hands, crossing social strata. This made it a potent form of propaganda, shaping collective memory and reinforcing the emperor's authority. Editor: So, even this small object played a big role in Roman society! That's fascinating. Curator: Precisely! It shows how art and power were intertwined, even in everyday objects.