Coin of Constans II c. 647 - 648

Editor: Here we have a coin of Constans II. It’s small, golden, and depicts the emperor on one side and a cross on the other. It feels like such a tangible connection to the past. What do you see when you look at this coin? Curator: I see a fascinating artifact that speaks to the intersection of power, religion, and identity in the Byzantine Empire. Who was included in the power structures, and who was excluded? The cross, prominently displayed, was used to legitimize the rule of Constans II, but how did people experience it? Editor: That’s a great point. It’s easy to see the coin as just a symbol of power, but it’s also a religious symbol. Curator: Exactly, how did it influence the daily lives of the common people? Editor: Thanks, I never thought of it that way. Curator: It’s important to remember the power dynamics at play.