Coin of Constans I, Constantinople 348 - 351

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have a fascinating artifact, a coin of Constans I, who of course, was the Roman Emperor. Editor: It’s incredible how much history is packed into such a small, corroded surface. It evokes a sense of power, even now. Curator: Indeed. The imagery is carefully chosen. We see Constans' portrait on one side, a symbol of his authority and divine right to rule. Editor: And the other side shows him holding a labarum, a vexillum that was adapted as a Christian military standard. That's quite a declaration through bronze. What did it weigh? Curator: 4.94 grams. The material is obviously base metal. So, cheap political statements, cast and circulated widely. Editor: Cheap maybe, but these coins were the social media of their time! Every coin like this reinforced an image of power for the masses. Curator: Yes, a potent reminder of Constans’ dominion, resonating across centuries. Editor: A tangible piece of propaganda. Food for thought.