Coin of Constans II c. 641 - 646

Editor: This is a gold coin of Constans II, likely from the 7th century. One side has his portrait, the other a cross. I find the cross striking; it's not just a cross, but a stepped, almost architectural form. What symbols jump out at you? Curator: The stepped cross is powerful. Think of it as an axis mundi, a symbolic center connecting heaven and earth. This imagery reinforces not just religious authority, but also the emperor's divine right. Note how the portrait and cross are bound by inscribed text, linking earthly and spiritual power. Editor: So, it is like the Emperor is trying to present himself as divinely chosen. Curator: Precisely. The coin becomes a propaganda tool, embedding cultural memory and reinforcing the emperor's legitimacy through potent symbolism. Editor: I hadn't considered the cultural weight a coin could carry. Fascinating. Curator: Coins were so much more than currency; they were miniature billboards of power and belief.