Solidus of Leo II and Zeno, Constantinople c. 474

Curator: This is a solidus of Leo II and Zeno, crafted in Constantinople. Its materiality, of course, is gold, and it weighs 4.5 grams. Editor: There is a certain gravitas in seeing how even a coin could become a carrier for imperial ideology. Curator: Absolutely. The coin is divided into two faces. One presents the bust of Leo II. The other features Leo and Zeno together. Editor: Look at how power is being visually legitimized and reproduced for circulation, quite literally. A child emperor, sanctioned by Zeno. Curator: Indeed. The symbols used here are incredibly deliberate, aren't they? It speaks volumes about how symbols shape perceptions of leadership. Editor: And how such objects act as silent witnesses to the ebb and flow of political power and social hierarchies. It is quite illuminating. Curator: It invites us to consider the lasting legacy of seemingly small artifacts. Editor: This coin offers a glimpse into the ever-relevant power dynamics that underpin our own societies.