Coin of Constans II c. 647 - 650

Editor: This is a coin of Constans II, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a small, unassuming piece of metal. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The coin's material speaks volumes. Bronze, readily available, mass-produced. Notice the wear and tear? It signifies circulation, exchange, labor rewarded. How does that influence your understanding of Constans II’s power? Editor: So, less about the artistry, and more about the context of its production? Curator: Precisely. The coin represents power diffused through the means of production. It reflects labor, trade, and the everyday lives sustained by it. What does that make you think about value? Editor: It shifts my focus. Value isn’t just about the ruler’s image, but the system that coin represents.