Pentanummium of Anastasios I, Constantinople c. 498 - 518

Curator: Here we have a Pentanummium of Anastasios I, a coin from Constantinople, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's so small, almost lost to time. The copper has this worn, earthy quality. You can almost feel the hands that held it. Curator: Indeed. Anastasios I, who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire, used coinage to project power. This tiny object was a crucial tool of imperial administration. Editor: And the creation process—the die-striking, the metalworking—all speaks to the labor behind maintaining that power, both literally and symbolically. Curator: Absolutely. The imagery, though degraded, shows the emperor, linking him to Roman traditions, while the denomination signifies a regulated economy. Editor: It's amazing how such a humble piece of metal embodies the vast social and political network that defined its purpose. Curator: Seeing it through this lens, the coin transforms from a mere artifact into a powerful statement on early Byzantine society. Editor: Definitely reshapes how I see value and purpose in this age, it gives me a deeper respect for the artistry involved in ancient production.