Coin (AE3) of Constantine I, Arles 315 - 316

Curator: Here we have an AE3 coin of Constantine I, struck in Arles, France. It's made of bronze and weighs just over three and a half grams. Editor: There's something haunting about its eroded surface, the blurred image hinting at a powerful past. Curator: Indeed, mass-produced coins like this one served as propaganda tools, circulating carefully constructed images of imperial power. Consider the labor involved in its production; each coin, however small, represents countless hours of mining, smelting, and striking. Editor: It also reminds us of the power dynamics at play. The image of Constantine legitimized his rule, reinforcing a rigid social hierarchy where wealth and status were concentrated at the top. This coin, in the hands of an ordinary person, became a symbol of their subjugation. Curator: And yet, its survival speaks to the enduring power of material culture. The very act of preserving and studying this coin connects us to the material realities of the Roman Empire. Editor: Absolutely. Objects like this let us explore the intricate relationship between power, representation, and everyday life.