Coin (AE4) of Constantine I after 337

Curator: Here we have a coin, an AE4 of Constantine I, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection, its weight being approximately 1.41 grams. Editor: It looks almost like a tiny, worn-out sun, carrying stories we can barely decipher. Curator: Precisely. Its circular form, now softened by time, contains a portrait of Constantine. The lines are deliberately simplified, yet they convey authority. Editor: And on the other side, what appears to be some kind of figure on horseback? It feels like a symbol of power, maybe victory? Curator: A potent reading. The horse and rider are indeed common imperial motifs, signs of strength and dominion in Roman iconography. Editor: It's amazing how such a small object can carry so much history, so many layers of meaning. Curator: Indeed, it is a material embodiment of imperial power, reflecting the formal language of political representation. Editor: Looking at it, I get this sense of connection to something ancient and powerful, even in its deteriorated state. Curator: It's a tangible link to the past, offering a glimpse into the visual strategies used to project imperial authority. Editor: I see what you mean. It does speak volumes about power and representation. Curator: Absolutely, and even more about how art functions in the projection of power.