coin of Aelia Flaccilla Augusta 383 - 388

Curator: This is a coin of Aelia Flaccilla Augusta, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. The coin is 4.25 grams. Editor: It looks rather worn. Even in this condition, the images and inscriptions are still distinct. Curator: Indeed. On one side, we see the profile of Aelia Flaccilla herself, and on the other, a figure – likely a depiction of Pax, the Roman goddess of peace. Editor: What's most interesting to me is what a coin like this can tell us about the power dynamics of the time. Roman imperial women wielded influence through their roles as wives, mothers, and symbols of imperial virtue. Curator: Precisely. Note the careful rendering of her features, even on such a small scale. The artist has skillfully captured her likeness, and it speaks to the importance of imperial portraiture as a tool for projecting authority. Editor: Right, it’s a potent reminder that even the smallest, most mundane objects can carry significant cultural weight, reflecting larger sociopolitical currents. Curator: A fitting encapsulation. This coin is truly a material embodiment of power and representation in the Roman era.