Coin of Constans II c. 649 - 650

Editor: Here we have a gold coin by Constans II. It's amazing to think of the stories this little object could tell. What do you see in this piece that speaks to its time? Curator: This coin embodies the intersection of power, religion, and identity in the Byzantine Empire. The image of Constans II, a symbol of imperial authority, is juxtaposed with the Christian cross, demonstrating the intertwining of political and spiritual legitimacy. How might this object reveal the lived realities of those under his rule? Editor: I hadn’t considered that angle. Curator: The coin's value also highlights economic disparities. Who had access to such currency, and what did it mean for those who didn't? Editor: Thinking about that now makes me view it completely differently. Curator: Exactly! Art is never created in a vacuum, but always in response to a particular history.