Pentanummium of Anastasios I, Constantinople c. 498 - 518

Curator: Here we have a Pentanummium of Anastasios I, from Constantinople. Its circular form presents two distinct faces. What’s your initial impression? Editor: A somber, almost ghostly quality. The surface texture, the faint impressions...it evokes a sense of immense time passed. Curator: Indeed. The use of bronze and the die-striking technique showcase a clear attempt at standardization and control of imagery, crucial for legitimizing power. Editor: Absolutely, as a piece of propaganda. How was this coin perceived in market exchanges? Did its design influence the production of other coins or objects? Curator: Perhaps. The semiotic weight of the imperial image itself, the carefully rendered symbols – all transmit authority. It's a concentrated study in power. Editor: It's humbling to consider the journey of such a small object, from the hands of the emperor to this display case. Curator: Precisely. A fitting reminder of how even the smallest artifacts can reveal grand narratives.