Coin (AE4) of Constantine I after 337

Curator: Here we have a coin of Constantine I, a small bronze piece currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, wow, it’s like looking at a little green planet. So tiny, yet holds the weight of history. Curator: Absolutely. It’s more than just pocket change. These coins functioned as tools for imperial propaganda, circulating images and messages of power throughout the Roman Empire. Editor: Right, because who needs Twitter when you've got currency? I wonder who held this? What hands did it pass through? Did it buy someone bread, or maybe something a bit more subversive? Curator: It's tantalizing to consider. The wear and tear on the coin speaks to its journey. It’s not just an artifact; it’s a silent witness. Editor: Makes you think, doesn't it? Power, legacy, and the everyday, all compressed into this little, verdigris-covered disc. Curator: Indeed, a tiny object reflecting a vast empire.