City commemorative issue (AE3/4) of Constantine, Thessalonica 336 - 337

Editor: This is a commemorative coin of Constantine, a city commemorative issue in bronze, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes me is how such a small object carries so much historical weight, how would you interpret this work? Curator: It’s fascinating how a small coin embodies a city's identity and aspirations. The imagery acts as a condensed narrative. Consider the choice of the figures depicted. What stories do they tell about the values and self-image of Thessalonica? Editor: I see what looks like a lion on one side. Does that hold some symbolic value? Curator: Absolutely. Animals in ancient iconography often represented power, courage, or a city's patron deity. The lion might allude to the strength and resilience of Thessalonica. What other details stand out to you? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. Looking closer, I can see how the images connect the city's values with symbols recognized throughout the empire. Curator: Precisely. It reveals how visual symbols create a shared cultural memory.