Coin of Herennia Etruscilla

Curator: This object is a coin of Herennia Etruscilla, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Its weathered patina immediately speaks of its age, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely, the verdigris is striking. It suggests a long history buried, waiting to be unearthed and speak again. What was Etruscilla's story? Curator: She was the Roman empress, wife of Decius. What interests me is the relief. The portrait, though worn, retains a sharp classical profile, framed by intricate hairstyling. Editor: As empress, Etruscilla’s representation on coinage wasn’t merely about aesthetics, but a deliberate attempt to solidify the legitimacy and visibility of her and her husband’s reign. Curator: True, the formal rendering on the obverse contrasted with what appears to be a representation of Abundantia on the reverse embodies the desired image of prosperity. Editor: Examining this artifact contextualizes power, gender, and representation in antiquity. It's a small object carrying a heavy legacy. Curator: Indeed, the coin's intrinsic form and design speak as eloquently as its historical context. Editor: A remarkable object for thinking through the relationship between art, agency, and historical narrative.