Coin of Constantine VII c. 914 - 919

Curator: Here we have a coin commissioned by Constantine VII, weighing in at 7.87 grams, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a solemn feel, doesn't it? The patinated bronze and worn details suggest immense age, as though it carries the weight of centuries of Byzantine history. Curator: Absolutely. On one side, we see Constantine himself with the Virgin Mary, each figure carefully rendered, holding a cross between them. Editor: It's fascinating how the coin asserts power through religious iconography. The implied divine endorsement would have been an important communication tool during his reign. Curator: Precisely. The inscriptions, although partially eroded, would have further reinforced his legitimacy and connection to imperial tradition. Each symbol worked to create a sense of continuity. Editor: Makes you think about all the hands this coin passed through, and how each person was impacted by the Byzantine Empire. Curator: Indeed, it is a potent symbol of power, faith, and the enduring legacy of an empire. Editor: A small object with a very large story.