Half Follis of Constans II, Carthage 647 - 659

Editor: Here we have a Half Follis of Constans II from Carthage. It's quite small, but what strikes me is how worn it is. What can we learn from this coin? Curator: We see here not just an image, but a relic of labor and exchange. Consider the mining of the metal, the striking of the coin, the hands it passed through. This wasn't just currency; it was a product of imperial power and trade networks. Editor: So, it's more than just a portrait of Constans? Curator: Precisely. It’s a testament to the economic and social structures of the time. What does its circulation tell us about commodity exchange in the seventh century? Editor: I hadn't considered the coin's history beyond its face value. Thank you! Curator: Indeed, materiality shapes meaning.