Decanummium of Anastasios , Constantinople 498 - 518

Editor: This is a Decanummium of Anastasios from Constantinople. Looking at it, the wear and tear really speak to the coin's journey through history. What can you tell me about its place in its time? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a symbol of imperial power and a statement about the reign of Anastasios. Consider the portrait itself: what does it communicate about leadership, and how does its circulation reinforce social hierarchies? Editor: That's fascinating. So, it's less about its monetary value and more about its symbolic power? Curator: Precisely. Think about how such an object would have been viewed and used by different social groups, reflecting varying degrees of access to power and privilege. Editor: I never thought of it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It is amazing how such a small object can open up such a large social and political world.