Coin of Theodosius II, Nikomedeia 425 - 435

Curator: Here we have a coin of Theodosius II, minted in Nikomedeia. It's a small object, weighing just over a gram. Editor: It appears quite worn, evoking a sense of history and the passage of time. I wonder what images or ideas it once represented more clearly. Curator: The image of the emperor would have conveyed power and authority. Coins were a key tool for projecting imperial ideology across a vast territory. Editor: Consider how the coin’s design also speaks to the cultural memory of the empire – a visual language instantly recognizable. Curator: Indeed. Each element, from the emperor's portrait to any accompanying symbols, carries layered meanings related to legitimacy and divine favor. Editor: And now, it prompts us to reflect on the enduring power of symbols and the stories they tell across centuries. Curator: A small piece, but a tangible link to a distant past.