Coin of Constantine I, Alexandria 347 - 348

Curator: Here we have a bronze coin minted during the reign of Constantine I, likely in Alexandria. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: Well, it looks incredibly old, of course. But it's also…somber. That weathered texture, the dark patina, it whispers stories of touch and exchange. Curator: The coin’s materiality is quite significant. Bronze, a readily available resource, was used to produce these objects in large quantities, facilitating trade and projecting imperial power. Editor: It’s amazing to think how this tiny object connected people across such vast distances! Like holding a universe of human interactions in your hand. Curator: Precisely. Each coin represents the labor of miners, metalworkers, and the infrastructure of the Roman state. Editor: It makes me wonder who held this coin, what did they buy with it, and what did it mean to them? Curator: It provides a glimpse into the economic and political landscape of that era. Editor: It's a potent little talisman, a tangible link to a world both familiar and utterly strange. Curator: Indeed, a remarkable artifact that bridges the personal and the political.