Coin (AE4) of Constantius II c. 4th century

Editor: So, this is a bronze coin, identified as an AE4 of Constantius II. Given its age and purpose, it’s interesting how much the imagery feels like propaganda. What strikes you most about it? Curator: Absolutely. Coins were powerful tools. Consider how Constantius II, inheriting a fractured empire, used images to project strength and legitimacy. How does this coin participate in creating a visual narrative of imperial power? Editor: I see the profile of the emperor, very rigid and formal. On the reverse, it seems to be some kind of victory scene? Curator: Exactly. Victory, often personified as a goddess, becomes entangled with imperial authority. Reflect on how such depictions reinforce a specific, and often exclusionary, power structure. What message is being sent, and who is it intended for? Editor: It makes you think about how even small, everyday objects can be loaded with political meaning. Curator: Precisely. This coin isn't just currency; it's a carefully crafted message about power, control, and the emperor's place in the world.