Coin (AE4) of Constans, Cyzicus 337 - 340

Curator: Here we have a coin of Constans, made of bronze, from the mint of Cyzicus. Editor: It appears worn, as if it's been passed from hand to hand countless times. It makes me think about how money shapes societies and the stories these objects carry about power. Curator: The wear is important; each coin was hand-struck. The human element is evident in its irregularities, far from the mechanical perfection we see today. Editor: And yet, this coin reflects the grand narratives that empires try to construct through their symbols. It prompts us to consider Constans' image and what that meant for identity and control. Curator: Absolutely. It's a tangible link to labor, politics and the economy of the Roman empire. Editor: An interesting window into the lives of the many people under Roman rule.