Coin (AE3/4) of Constantius II, Trier 330 - 331

Curator: Here we have a coin dating back to the reign of Constantius II, a Roman emperor of the 4th century, minted in Trier. Editor: The patina is gorgeous—it evokes the passage of centuries and the materiality of bronze. Curator: Indeed. The verdigris provides a compelling contrast to the remaining details of the emperor's profile, and the depiction of the two soldiers on the reverse. Semiotically, these images represent Roman power and military strength. Editor: And the constant handling, the act of exchange—it reminds us of the labor embedded within the production of something we think of as quite refined, but started at the forge. Curator: A valid point. The coin, as an object, transcends simple economic function. Editor: It’s a tangible fragment of a vast social and economic network. Curator: It offers a unique insight into Roman imperial ideology. Editor: An artifact, carrying a story of material culture over time.