Coin of Arcadius, Cyzicus c. 402

Curator: Before us we have a coin of Arcadius, created in Cyzicus. Editor: It looks worn, almost dissolving back into the earth. I imagine its journey through countless hands, each one a silent witness to history. Curator: Exactly. As a symbol, it embodies imperial authority, yet it's also a small, tangible item that connected the emperor to everyday life. Consider the socio-political context. What did ownership of currency signify then? Editor: Beyond economics, the imagery itself projects power. The portrait, the inscriptions—they broadcast cultural values and reinforce the legitimacy of the emperor. Currency is a very powerful tool for projecting control. Curator: Indeed. It's a miniature propaganda machine, reflecting and shaping societal power dynamics. Editor: It makes you wonder about the common person's relationship to these symbols of power, and how they subverted or reinterpreted them. Curator: Considering its presence at Harvard, it continues to spark fascinating dialogues about power, image, and historical narrative. Editor: Yes, it offers a tangible link to a distant world, revealing the enduring power of symbols.