Coin of Constans II c. 641 - 646

Editor: Here we have a gold coin of Constans II. Seeing the image, I'm struck by the wear and tear; it really speaks to the passage of time. What do you see in this small, golden window to the past? Curator: The wear is the poem, isn't it? To me, this isn't just currency. It's a whisper from Byzantium, reflecting the emperor’s authority and the enduring power of symbols. The cross, the imperial image… they're echoes of a civilization grappling with faith and power. What stories do you imagine this coin could tell? Editor: That's a really interesting point. I hadn't thought about it as a symbolic artifact. Thank you for your insight! Curator: My pleasure! The best art always prompts a conversation.