As or Dupondius of Faustina I 141 - 146

Curator: The "As or Dupondius of Faustina I" offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman imperial portraiture. Look closely at the way her image was designed to circulate ideas about power, gender, and representation. Editor: It’s incredible to see the wear and patina of time on this coin; you can practically feel the weight of its history as something that circulated in everyday transactions. Curator: Absolutely. The coin's materiality speaks volumes. These images weren't just about the individual, Faustina, but also the broader implications of female leadership and its relationship to the power structures of the Roman Empire. Editor: And to think of the labor involved in its production! From the mining of the metal to the crafting of the die and the striking of each individual coin, it’s a complex web of human and material processes. Curator: Precisely, it's a reminder of how gendered and racialized assumptions impact our understanding and analysis of ancient artifacts. It shows power and control in ancient Rome. Editor: Considering it's been held, traded, and lost—perhaps buried—gives me goosebumps. It’s been part of so many stories. Curator: It really makes you wonder whose hands this piece has passed through and what roles they played in the complex story of Rome. Editor: Definitely. This unassuming coin encapsulates a rich and layered history.