Coin of Constantine VII c. 945 - 950

Editor: So, this is a coin of Constantine VII, unsigned and undated. It's pretty corroded, but you can still make out the inscription and the figure. What strikes you about it? Curator: A coin is never just currency; it's a declaration. The image of Constantine, however stylized and worn, is an assertion of power, an attempt to control not just the economy but also the narrative of his reign. What does it mean to literally carry the emperor's image in your pocket? Editor: That’s fascinating. It is like a symbol of power within the state. Curator: Exactly! And who had access to this symbol? How might its circulation have influenced social hierarchies or even challenged existing power structures? Coins are propaganda, circulating among a populace. Editor: I never thought of it that way before. Thanks! Curator: You're welcome! It shows how even everyday objects can tell us much about the social climate.