Coin of Constantine VII c. 914 - 919

Curator: This is a coin of Constantine VII, a Byzantine emperor from the 10th century. The Harvard Art Museums holds this example, weighing a mere 6.91 grams. It's incredible to think of the power such a small object once represented. Editor: My first impression is its wear, the way history has etched itself into the metal. It speaks of transactions, of hands, of a world long past. Curator: Indeed. Consider the historical context: Constantine VII aimed to solidify his rule, and currency played a crucial role in projecting imperial power and legitimizing his reign. Editor: Absolutely. The imagery—the cross, the inscriptions—would have been carefully chosen to communicate specific messages about authority and religious endorsement. What narratives were prioritized and whose stories were intentionally excluded? Curator: An excellent question. The coin served as propaganda, reinforcing the emperor's divine right. Today, it offers a tangible connection to the Byzantine world. Editor: Right, it lets us think about the legacies of power and how certain narratives get imprinted, quite literally, onto the collective memory. Food for thought, isn't it? Curator: It certainly is, and a reminder of how art can function as both historical document and political tool.