Consecration Coin of Constantine I, Cyzicus 347 - 348

Curator: Here we have a Consecration Coin of Constantine I, from Cyzicus. It’s a small bronze coin, weighing just over one and a half grams. Editor: It strikes me as surprisingly intimate, given its historical significance. The wear and tear speaks to its journey through time. Curator: Absolutely. These coins were struck to commemorate Constantine after his death, essentially functioning as posthumous propaganda. It's fascinating to consider how this imagery served to solidify his legacy. Editor: And the imagery! We see veiled figures, potent symbols of piety and imperial power converging. How would contemporary audiences have interpreted these symbols, especially in light of Constantine's complex relationship with Christianity? Curator: It's a powerful intersection of the political and the spiritual. Examining it through the lens of power dynamics and the construction of identity reveals a great deal about the late Roman Empire. Editor: Indeed. A tiny object holding such enormous historical and symbolic weight. Food for thought.