As of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Curator: Here we have a bronze coin, titled "As of Antoninus Pius," residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me immediately as tactile, a worn piece of history, almost like holding time itself. Curator: Absolutely. Coins such as these were not only currency but also tools of propaganda, bearing symbols and inscriptions designed to project imperial power. The face of Antoninus Pius himself is visible on the coin. Editor: And on the reverse, a stylized depiction of what appears to be a rudder? It's fascinating how these symbols were used to communicate specific ideas about governance and control. The rudder as a symbol of controlling the ship of state. Curator: Precisely. Such imagery conveyed a message of stability, security, and effective rule, resonating profoundly within the socio-political context of the Roman Empire. Editor: It's a reminder that even the smallest objects can be powerful carriers of cultural and political meaning. The coin invites us to contemplate empire through the intimate scale of everyday exchange. Curator: Indeed, a tiny artifact with a massive story to tell.