Coin of Constans II c. 642 - 643

Editor: This is a coin of Constans II. It feels very weighty, burdened by time. What symbols can you decode from this worn surface? Curator: The emperor's image and the cross aren't just representations; they are imbued with the authority of the state and the divine. The wear and tear speak to its journey through time, its circulation through hands and markets. What emotional response does the image of power evoke in you? Editor: A sense of distance, I think. These symbols feel so removed from my own life. Curator: But consider: how do we still use images to convey power today? What symbols persist, and what have we discarded? Editor: That’s a very interesting point, thinking about continuity instead of just difference. Thanks!