Coin of Constantius Gallus, Heraclea 351 - 354

Curator: Here we have a coin of Constantius Gallus, minted in Heraclea. Editor: It looks so worn! I feel a deep connection to the past looking at it. Curator: Constantius Gallus was a Caesar of the Eastern Roman Empire in the mid-4th century. These coins were not just currency, but a tool of imperial propaganda. Editor: Propaganda, really? I see the ruler's profile on one side, but the other image seems harder to decipher. What message were they trying to send? Curator: Likely one of power and stability. Coins like these helped disseminate the emperor's image and reinforce his authority across the vast empire. Editor: Power that was literally in everyone's hands! Thinking about it this way allows us to consider how art becomes entrenched in social structures. Curator: Absolutely. It’s a reminder of how images, even small ones, play a crucial role in shaping perceptions and reinforcing social order. Editor: I agree. It's fascinating to consider how something so small could carry such weight within larger power dynamics.