Coin of Constantine I, Heraclea 324

Curator: Here we have a coin of Constantine I, struck in Heraclea. The weight is just over three grams. Editor: It’s remarkable how such a small object can feel so weighty, burdened by history, the worn surface hinting at countless transactions. Curator: Absolutely, and it speaks volumes. The image of Constantine, even in this miniature, projects authority and power. The symbolism embedded here represents a critical turning point in Roman history and the rise of Christianity. Editor: I'm more interested in the physical coin itself—the copper alloy, how it was cast, and the labor involved. It’s a direct connection to the economic systems of the time. Curator: Agreed, it’s a nexus point—a convergence of power, belief, and everyday life, all captured in this single object. Editor: Yes, from material to symbol, it all points to the economic and social structures that shaped it. Curator: It is fascinating how the weight of meaning and material intersect in such a small artifact.