Denarius of Faustina I 147 - 161

Editor: This is a Denarius of Faustina I, made during the reign of Antoninus Pius. It feels like such an intimate object, a small window into the past. What do you make of it? Curator: For me, it speaks volumes about power and representation. Consider how Faustina, as a woman, is immortalized on currency, a medium of exchange and a symbol of Roman authority. What does it signify to have her image so widely circulated? Editor: So, it’s not just about her individual likeness but about what her image represents in that context? Curator: Exactly. It raises questions about gender roles, imperial propaganda, and the very nature of how we construct and perpetuate narratives through art and everyday objects. How might this coin have shaped perceptions of female power? Editor: That's a powerful way to look at something so small. I’m going to think about Roman currency a lot differently from now on. Curator: And hopefully, consider the legacy of these representational strategies throughout history.