Coin of Constantine IX c. 1042 - 1055

Curator: The "Coin of Constantine IX," residing here at the Harvard Art Museums, offers a somber yet captivating glimpse into Byzantine history. Its weathered surface hints at the countless hands it has passed through. Editor: The object’s damaged condition strikes me first. The breaks on its edges frame the central images, underscoring the coin's fragmented history and lost value. Curator: Indeed. As a form of political currency, this coin was directly linked to Constantine IX's authority and the stability—or lack thereof—of his reign. Its materiality signals power. Editor: I’m captivated by the incised figures. The composition on both sides is striking, creating a visual tension between the Emperor’s image and the surrounding text. Curator: By examining its iconography and inscription, we can decode the dominant ideologies of the Byzantine Empire—particularly the intertwined roles of political and religious authority. Editor: Looking at its surface, I find the worn texture quite evocative. It's a tactile reminder of the coin's age, hinting at the slow passage of time and the gradual erosion of meaning. Curator: Ultimately, this coin testifies to the complicated interactions between power, belief, and material culture in the Byzantine world. Editor: A small object, yet it reflects so much.