Coin (AE3) of Honorius, Cyzicus 395 - 401

Editor: This is an AE3 coin of Honorius from Cyzicus, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It’s quite small and worn, but I’m struck by how this tiny object can tell us so much. How do you interpret the symbolism embedded within it? Curator: This coin offers a glimpse into the power dynamics of the late Roman Empire. Consider Honorius's image and how it projects authority amidst societal upheaval. The imagery chosen wasn't arbitrary; it was a conscious effort to legitimize rule and quell dissent. Who do you think this coin spoke to? Editor: Perhaps it was designed to appeal to a broad audience, reinforcing Honorius's authority. It makes you wonder about the effectiveness of such propaganda during a period of decline. Curator: Exactly. The coin then becomes a site of negotiation—between imperial ambition and the lived realities of its users. Studying it challenges the narratives we inherit, pushing us to question whose voices are amplified and whose are silenced. Editor: I never thought a coin could be so politically charged. Thanks for showing me how to read its layers.