Decanummium of Anastasios I, Constantinople c. 498 - 518

Curator: Here we have a Decanummium of Anastasios I, from Constantinople. The Harvard Art Museums hold this small but significant piece. Editor: It looks incredibly worn. You can barely make out the details, but it definitely speaks of age and handling. What was it made from? Curator: It's a bronze coin, small and unassuming but critical for understanding the economic system under Anastasios. Editor: Bronze, so a common metal. What's fascinating is imagining the hands this has passed through, the transactions it facilitated. It connects us to the everyday lives of people long ago. Curator: Precisely. Its value was likely modest, but its impact was widespread, shaping the flow of commerce and solidifying the Emperor's image throughout the realm. Editor: It gives a fresh insight into daily life and economy, and how even small objects hold meaning. Curator: Indeed, a potent reminder of the past.