Coin of Arcadius, Cyzicus c. 392 - 395

Curator: This is a coin of Arcadius, from Cyzicus. Editor: Oh, it looks so small, like it's whispering secrets from a forgotten age. I wonder what hands it passed through. Curator: The very act of minting these coins served as a tool of imperial propaganda. The representation of Arcadius, the emperor, would have reinforced his power and authority throughout the empire. Editor: So, it's less about its value as currency and more about its value as a portable billboard of power, huh? Looking at it now, you see it not as just money, but as a story etched in metal. Curator: Precisely. Consider the socio-political implications. How did this image impact the average citizen's perception of their leader? Editor: That's fascinating! It really reframes my perspective. Thanks, it makes me want to dig up my old coin collection!