Siliqua of Theodosius II, Constantinople c. 440

Curator: Here we have a Siliqua of Theodosius II, Constantinople. It’s striking, isn't it? My immediate reaction is how small and worn it appears. It feels so tactile, like it holds a story. Editor: Indeed, and that story is rooted in the politics of the 5th century. Theodosius II ruled over a shifting landscape of power. This coin, a tangible piece of his reign, speaks volumes about the exercise of authority and how rulers project their image. Curator: I’m drawn to the figure on the obverse. The diadem, the drapery… these are potent symbols of imperial authority, meant to convey legitimacy and divine right. Editor: Absolutely. And consider the reverse, with its inscription within a wreath. The wreath, an enduring symbol of victory and honor. Each element serves as a visual language reinforcing the Emperor’s power, both to his subjects and to posterity. Curator: Considering its age, what I find most intriguing is how this tiny object once held immense symbolic and economic weight. It reminds us how deeply intertwined identity and material culture can be. Editor: Precisely. It's a fascinating lens through which to consider the construction and perpetuation of power, and how symbols persist, evolving in meaning across the ages.