Coin of Constans II c. 654 - 659

Editor: Here we have a gold coin of Constans II, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Its materiality immediately strikes me; its surface, though worn, possesses an undeniable sheen. What visual elements stand out to you? Curator: The bilateral symmetry is quite deliberate. On one face, the vertical lines of the figures' robes contrast with the circular form of the coin itself. And on the other, observe the cross and the linear inscription around it, further emphasizing the coin's form. Editor: The cross feels quite central. Curator: Indeed. Consider how the geometric shapes—the circle, the lines of the cross—create a visual order and hierarchy, drawing the eye to the center. What does this suggest to you about its intended function? Editor: It does seem like everything serves a purpose. I see how the composition itself conveys power and authority. Curator: Precisely. Formal analysis allows us to decode the visual language and understand the underlying structure of meaning.