Hexagram of Constans II c. 647 - 651

Curator: I find myself gazing at this Hexagram of Constans II, a silver coin currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s got a kind of solemn weight to it, doesn't it? Like holding a tiny, tarnished piece of history in your hand, feeling the burdens it carries. Curator: Absolutely. These coins, minted under Constans II, tell a story of an empire grappling with immense pressure. It’s material culture giving us insight into socio-political tensions. Editor: The figure on one side looks so austere, almost troubled. What do you make of the cross potent on the reverse? It is placed upon three steps, almost like a symbol of sacrifice or endurance. Curator: Indeed. It symbolizes the strength of Byzantium and Christianity, projecting power amidst conflict. These coins functioned as propaganda. Editor: It’s amazing to think that something so small could carry so much meaning. Curator: It’s a tangible connection to a distant past, isn’t it? Almost whispering its story. Editor: Yes, a story told by a single image of power and faith.