Solidus of Theodosius II, Constantinople 442 - 443

Editor: Here we have a gold solidus, a coin made for Theodosius II in Constantinople. I'm struck by how much this tiny object tells us. What can you glean from it? Curator: The gold itself is key. Its source, the labor to mine and refine it, speak volumes about the empire's reach. The coin wasn't just currency; it was a statement of power, produced and consumed within specific economic and social systems. What do you make of the imagery? Editor: It's like a miniature billboard, projecting an image of the emperor. Fascinating. Curator: Indeed. Consider the workshops that mass-produced these. Each coin represents a complex web of production, trade, and imperial authority.