Coin 

Curator: This is a coin, issued by the Byzantine Empire. It's incredible to think of the hands this small object has passed through. Editor: It feels heavy, doesn't it? Like a concentrated weight of history. All those empires, all those power struggles...all compressed into this tiny, corroded disc. Curator: Absolutely. Coins were powerful propaganda tools. Imagine carrying around the emperor's portrait in your pocket! What do you notice about the imagery? Editor: Well, one side seems to show a figure, maybe an emperor, although worn almost smooth. And the other has some geometric designs that resemble a monogram. Curator: That's right, monograms were commonly used on Byzantine coinage. These coins served not only as currency but also as symbols of imperial authority and religious identity. Editor: So this little coin wasn't just small change; it was a statement. I'm really drawn to the idea that this single coin was once someone's daily bread. It’s funny how objects outlive intentions. Curator: A potent reminder of how art and culture weave together, often in the most unassuming of forms. Editor: Exactly. It's like holding a little piece of forever in your hand.