Coin of Constantine X c. 1059 - 1067

Editor: This is a Coin of Constantine X from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small, golden object, and I immediately notice the figures on each side. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The images tell stories. One side shows the Virgin Mary, invoking divine protection, while the other shows Constantine, projecting imperial power. This pairing underscores the Byzantine era's blending of religious and secular authority. Editor: So the coin is a symbol of power and faith intertwined? Curator: Precisely. The very act of holding this coin was a gesture steeped in cultural memory and belief, reinforcing the Emperor’s divinely sanctioned rule. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider about how we view objects like this. Curator: Indeed, it reveals how carefully crafted images shaped perceptions of leadership and spirituality.