Coin (AE2) of Arcadius, Antioch 378 - 383

Curator: Here we have an ancient coin, specifically an AE2 of Arcadius, minted in Antioch. Its weight is just over 5 grams. Immediately, the visible wear speaks to its extensive handling and circulation. Editor: The condition certainly lends it an aura of time, doesn't it? It evokes feelings of resilience but also hints at the vulnerabilities of power. How interesting that an object representing power is itself so fragile. Curator: Right, and consider the bronze itself. Its composition, the methods used to cast and stamp it – these were reflections of the empire's industrial and economic prowess. Editor: Yes, the act of minting these coins represents a centralization of power, a state-controlled narrative. The images and inscriptions served as propaganda, reinforcing Arcadius's legitimacy. Curator: And the coin’s physical journey! Each transaction, each hand it passed through – a literal transfer of value and power, reflecting the economic and social realities of its time. Editor: In a way, it becomes a historical actor itself, carrying the weight of societal structures on its very surface. Curator: Exactly. It's fascinating to consider the tangible, material history embedded within this small object. Editor: Absolutely, a reminder that even the smallest things can carry immense cultural and political weight.