Coin of Constans II c. 663 - 668

Editor: Here we have a gold coin of Constans II, located at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels like a tangible link to the past. What strikes you most about the imagery on this coin? Curator: The symbols speak volumes, don't they? The ruler's image, the cross he carries, the figures on the reverse... It's all carefully designed to convey power, legitimacy, and divine favor. What echoes of cultural memory do you detect? Editor: I see the repetition of figures. Does the grouping suggest continuity or family? Curator: Precisely. The arrangement hints at dynastic succession, a visual claim to enduring power and stability. What emotions does this evoke for you? Editor: A sense of permanence, maybe? Curator: Indeed. Coins were not just currency, but potent symbols propagating imperial ideology. It’s amazing how much history a small object can hold. Editor: I see that now. Thanks!