Coin of Constantine X c. 1059 - 1067

Editor: Here we have the Coin of Constantine X from the Harvard Art Museums. It's surprisingly small, yet packed with detail. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Well, coins were primary tools of propaganda. What does it tell us about the image Constantine X wished to project, and to whom? Editor: So, it's not just currency, it's also a message? Curator: Precisely. Consider who controlled the imagery, who could access it, and what message was intended for the Byzantine population. Editor: That shifts my perspective entirely. It's like a miniature billboard. Curator: Yes. The coin speaks volumes about power and control. It's a fascinating glimpse into image politics. Editor: I'll never look at old money the same way again!