Coin (AE3) of Constantine I, Nicomedia 324 - 325

Curator: Here we have a bronze coin, specifically an AE3, of Constantine I, minted in Nicomedia, and currently held in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels like holding a small, forgotten world. Dark, worn, but carrying echoes of an empire. Curator: Indeed. Note how the material's patination softens the imperial portrait, hinting at the passage of time and the transience of power. Editor: The relief is so shallow, almost ghostly. I wonder what stories it could tell if it could speak. What hands has it passed through? Curator: Its very survival speaks volumes. It’s a tangible link to Constantine, an artifact that prompts reflection on his impact on history. Editor: Absolutely. Just imagining this coin in the pocket of someone living in Nicomedia all those centuries ago. It’s beautiful and haunting. Curator: A poignant reminder that even the mightiest empires eventually fade into historical memory. Editor: Leaving behind only these little whispers.