Coin of Constans II c. 666 - 668

Curator: I find myself drawn to the "Coin of Constans II" here at the Harvard Art Museums. What is your initial take on this small piece of currency? Editor: It feels worn, like a little worry stone. I imagine the countless hands it passed through, each leaving a trace of their lives on its surface. Curator: Yes, the coin’s patina tells its own story. As a symbol, this coin would have represented the authority of the Byzantine emperor Constans II, and a tangible connection to his rule for the common person. Editor: It makes you think about how objects hold power. A small piece of metal imbued with meaning, carrying the weight of an empire. Curator: Precisely! The coin speaks volumes, revealing a microcosm of cultural memory and continuity. Editor: In the end, it's a reminder that even the smallest things can hold the greatest stories. Curator: Indeed, a humble coin can illuminate vast swaths of history and human experience.