Solidus of Constantine VII, Constantinople c. 921

Editor: Here we have a Solidus of Constantine VII, from Constantinople. Crafted from gold, it's intriguing how such a small object could hold so much economic and symbolic weight. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This coin embodies power through material means. Gold, controlled by the Byzantine state, becomes a tool of imperial authority, stamped with images that dictate and circulate ideological narratives of power. How does the craftsmanship of the die-making itself reflect the social stratification of labor? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. I was so focused on the imagery itself. Curator: Exactly! The very act of minting, the labor division, the control of resources – these are all embedded in this small, potent object. Think about how it was handled, traded, and used. Editor: So, understanding the means of production helps unpack the larger story of its influence. Fascinating. Curator: Precisely. It's not just an image; it's a material manifestation of power relations.