Coin of Constans II c. 5th century

Editor: This is a coin of Constans II, housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It's striking how the image of the ruler, though worn, still conveys authority. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The imagery on this coin echoes centuries of Roman imperial power. Consider the figure holding what appears to be a long cross or scepter, symbols that speak to both earthly rule and divine right. What emotions does the defacement evoke for you? Editor: A sense of time's passage, the erosion of power. It makes me wonder about the hands it passed through. Curator: Indeed, coins like these weren't just currency; they were tools of propaganda. The ruler's image, the accompanying symbols... They all reinforced a message. Editor: So, this coin tells a story not just of economics, but of power, belief, and maybe even decline? Curator: Precisely. It's a microcosm of an era, worn smooth by history but still resonant with meaning.