Coin (AE4) of Constantine I, Cyzicus 347 - 348

Curator: This is a bronze coin, an AE4, of Constantine I, minted in Cyzicus. Editor: It feels ancient, like holding a story worn smooth by time. I see a figure emerging from the green patina. Curator: Coins like this served not only as currency but also as imperial propaganda. Constantine used them to disseminate his image and power throughout the Roman Empire. Editor: Imagine all the hands this little thing has passed through! Emperors, merchants, maybe even star-crossed lovers! Curator: Precisely. They offer a direct link to the political and economic realities of the period, reflecting Constantine's efforts to consolidate his rule. Editor: It’s more than just metal; it’s a tiny portal to another world. Curator: Yes, a tangible link to a time of immense change, reflected in something as common as a coin. Editor: And yet, holding it feels like magic.