Coin of Constans II c. 659 - 660

Editor: Here we have a coin of Constans II, seemingly bronze. It's quite small, and seeing both sides, I wonder about the power it represented and how it circulated. What do you see in it? Curator: This coin isn’t just currency; it's a statement. Coins were crucial propaganda tools. Consider the figures depicted: who were they meant to represent, and what message was the emperor trying to convey to his subjects about authority and legitimacy? What power dynamics are at play? Editor: I see. It makes you think about how even everyday objects can carry political weight. Curator: Exactly. It encourages us to question the narratives embedded in these seemingly simple artifacts and to consider who had the power to create and circulate them.