Coin (AE2) of Gratian, Constantinople 378 - 383

Editor: This is a bronze coin of Gratian from Constantinople. Seeing the wear and tear, I can’t help but wonder about all the hands it passed through. What stories do you think this coin holds? Curator: The coin's imagery, though faded, speaks volumes. Consider what symbols were important to the Romans: the Emperor's profile, the depiction of Victory, imperial power, or divine favor. These weren't just images; they were carefully chosen messages. Editor: So, the coin is more than currency? Curator: Precisely. It's a cultural artifact. Coins acted as miniature billboards, disseminating ideology. How do you see that message resonating across time? Editor: I see how symbols outlive those who created them, still speaking to us. It's fascinating to consider. Curator: Indeed, images create a continuity of cultural memory.