Coin of Constantine X c. 1059 - 1067

Curator: This is a coin of Constantine X, weighing 5.76 grams, currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It appears quite worn, and the details are difficult to make out; there's a sense of history deeply embedded in its very surface. Curator: This wear is significant; it indicates extensive circulation and usage throughout its time. The coin provides insights into the socio-economic landscape of the Byzantine Empire under Constantine X. Editor: Absolutely. Currency often reflects the values and power structures of its time. Who gets depicted, the imagery used, the metal itself – all speak to issues of identity and control. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this were not just currency, but also potent symbols of imperial authority and ideological messaging. Editor: It’s a powerful reminder that even the smallest object can carry immense cultural and historical weight. Curator: Precisely; let us contemplate the journey of this coin through the ages. Editor: A journey of power, belief, and daily life.