Tetarteron of Constantine X and Romanos IV, Constantinople c. 1070

Editor: Here we have the Tetarteron of Constantine X and Romanos IV. This bronze coin from Constantinople feels so ancient and worn. What speaks to you about this piece? Curator: I'm interested in the materiality of this coin as a form of Byzantine currency. Its production was inextricably linked to imperial power and economic control. Editor: So it's not just money, but also a statement? Curator: Precisely. The coin’s metal composition and weight reflected the Byzantine empire's perceived wealth and stability. It's a small object carrying immense social and political weight. Editor: That's a totally different way of thinking about it! Curator: Yes, thinking about how it was made, and what that represents, can lead to some exciting conclusions.