Coin of Constantine I, Lugdunum 314 - 315

Curator: Here we have a coin of Constantine I, minted in Lugdunum. The artifact is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's incredible how tactile it feels, even just looking at it. You can almost feel the cool weight of the metal. The surface is worn smooth in places, but with textures that speak to its long history. Curator: This particular coin speaks volumes about Constantine's efforts to legitimize his rule through propaganda. Minting coins was a key tool in disseminating his image and message across the Empire. Editor: It’s more than just an image, though. Think about the labor involved—the mining, the smelting, the striking of the coin itself. It’s a physical manifestation of imperial power and the resources commanded by Constantine. Curator: Exactly. And these coins weren't just about economics; they were about social cohesion and cultural identity, binding the vast Roman territories through shared imagery. Editor: Seeing the coin in this condition makes you think about all the hands it's passed through, the transactions it facilitated. It is humble, but potent. Curator: It is a quiet testament to the power of visual communication across centuries. Editor: Indeed. A fascinating object, viewed through the lens of labor and power.