Coin of Constans II c. 655 - 656

Editor: Here we have a coin of Constans II, its weight is 1.49 grams. It's incredibly small and worn. What strikes you when you look at this coin? Curator: Consider that this small object was once a powerful symbol of Byzantine authority, embodying complex political, economic, and religious ideologies. How does viewing it through that lens change your perception? Editor: It makes me think about power dynamics. Who controlled the imagery and distribution? Curator: Precisely. Think about the emperor's image stamped onto it, a visual declaration of power and legitimacy, particularly potent amidst social and political unrest. Editor: So, it's not just money. It's propaganda. Curator: Exactly. And, considering the material itself, what does it tell us about the economic realities and trade routes of the time? These objects circulated widely, shaping and reflecting the lives of people across the empire. Editor: I hadn't considered that. It really brings history to life. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us to question whose stories are told and how power is represented in even the smallest of artifacts.