Coin of Constantine VII c. 945 - 950

Editor: This is a coin of Constantine VII. Looking at its worn surface, I’m struck by how this small object once symbolized power. What can you tell me about the imagery? Curator: The image of Constantine, even degraded by time, speaks to the enduring need for a ruler to project authority. The coin embodies cultural memory. What do you make of the choice of imagery on the reverse? What purpose do you think it served? Editor: It's interesting to consider the images on both sides as conveying different messages, one about authority, the other about legacy. Thank you!