Solidus of Theodosius II, Constantinople c. 425

Curator: This is a gold solidus, a coin, minted during the reign of Theodosius II in Constantinople. Even small, it shimmers with history. Editor: It does have a lovely glow. My first thought is how it embodies the weight of power, both literally and symbolically. Imagine all the transactions, all the lives touched by this small disc. Curator: The figures, rendered in such meticulous detail despite the scale, speak volumes. You see Theodosius himself, but also the echoes of empire. Editor: Right, and the coin's very existence underscores the empire's control over resources and its people. Gold as a tool of both oppression and perceived prosperity—a complex duality. Curator: It's a humbling reminder, isn't it? That even the grandest empires leave behind these tiny artifacts. Editor: Precisely. We can still learn so much about power from a single coin. Let’s hope it teaches us some valuable lessons.