Coin of Constantine X c. 1059 - 1067

Editor: Here we have a coin of Constantine X. The patinated bronze really emphasizes the depth of the relief. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Observe how the composition is bisected. On one side is what seems to be an iconic representation of Christ, while the other features imperial figures. The bilateral symmetry suggests a kind of balance between the sacred and the secular. Editor: That's interesting! I hadn't considered the balance. Curator: The very materiality of the coin serves to integrate these representations into a functional object of governance and commerce. It's a fascinating interplay of form and function. Editor: I see! Thanks for pointing that out.