Coin of Constantine I, Heraclea 321 - 324

Editor: This is a coin of Constantine I from Heraclea, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Seeing the wear and the material… it really brings home the labor involved in its creation and use. What do you make of it? Curator: I see a focus on the very practical nature of this artifact. Consider the mining of the metal, the skill of the die maker, and the physical act of striking these coins. How does the distribution of these coins shape economic and social relations in the Roman Empire? Editor: That makes me think about how this small object connects to massive systems of power and trade. It's not just art, it's really a record of material conditions. Curator: Precisely. Its value isn’t just monetary or aesthetic, but resides in the story of its making and circulation. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thanks for showing me a new side of this artwork!