Tremissis of Theodosius II, Constantinople 430 - 440

Editor: We're looking at a Tremissis coin of Theodosius II from Constantinople. It's tiny but the gold is striking. What’s most interesting about this piece to you? Curator: Consider the material, gold, and its controlled distribution. It represents power and wealth centralized within the Byzantine empire. What does its circulation reveal about the economic landscape of the time, the labor involved in its extraction and production? Editor: So, beyond just currency, it's a record of those processes? Curator: Exactly. The coin’s imagery, deliberately chosen, reinforced the emperor's authority, but the gold itself speaks volumes about resource control and societal structures. What’s your take on its accessibility? Editor: It’s fascinating to think how something so small could hold so much weight – both literally and figuratively. Curator: Indeed. Examining its material history illuminates not just artistic choices, but also the broader social and economic context of its creation and use.