Coin of Leo III c. 717 - 720

Editor: So this is a Coin of Leo III. It's really small, of course, and quite worn. What symbols stand out to you? Curator: The cross, clearly. It speaks volumes about Leo III's reign and the iconoclastic controversy. What does a cross on a coin communicate about the ruler's priorities? Editor: That religion and power are intertwined? That Christianity is central to his authority? Curator: Precisely. The image becomes a powerful statement, a cultural touchstone, solidifying both spiritual and temporal authority. A little billboard from the past! Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, so concise and loaded. It really is a little billboard. Curator: And billboards can be quite effective! I’ve certainly learned a lot.