Solidus of Constantius II, Antioch 355 - 361

Curator: This is a solidus of Constantius II, struck in Antioch. It weighs just 4.43 grams, yet embodies the power of the Roman Empire. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the coldness of the portrait, so rigid and formal. It feels like a carefully constructed image of authority. Curator: Consider the minting process—the labor, the gold sourcing, the imperial control exerted over even such a small object. Editor: Absolutely. And the iconography is carefully chosen. This coin wasn't just currency; it was propaganda, circulating an image of the emperor and legitimizing his rule. Curator: The inscription, the imagery... all deliberate choices in the construction of imperial power. Editor: Reflecting on the material reality, the metal itself, the marks of wear tell a story. Curator: Indeed, an intersection of material value and social power. Editor: It's a potent reminder of how objects can shape our understanding of history.