Coin of Arcadius, Uncertain Mint c. 387 - 392

Curator: Here we have a coin attributed to Arcadius, the Eastern Roman Emperor, minted at an uncertain location. What stands out to you? Editor: The corrosion! It's lovely. I mean, you really sense the transformation of matter over time, all that interaction with the earth. Curator: Absolutely. The coin as an object carries so much. The portrait of Arcadius on one side… Think of the symbolic power invested in that image, how it would have circulated. Editor: And who was handling these things? Day to day transactions, yes, but the labor involved in the coin's production... Curator: It’s a fascinating intersection of imperial power and everyday life, etched onto this small, worn object. Editor: Yes, power literally pressed into material, circulated, worn down. It makes you think about what lasts, what decays, what we value. Curator: Indeed, the coin becomes a poignant reminder of empires and individuals, now transformed into something new. Editor: A quiet testament to the passage of time.