Coin of Constans II c. 663 - 668

Curator: The glint of this tiny artifact is mesmerizing. It is a coin, approximately 4.4 grams in weight, bearing the image of Constans II. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn’t it? I’m thinking about its worth, its material value during its time, and how gold signified power and economic control. Curator: Precisely. Imagine the socio-political implications of this tangible object in circulation, each piece of metal carrying the imperial image. The coin acted as propaganda and a statement of political power across territories. Editor: And the production process! Who were the artisans involved, and what was their level of skill? This little object embodies an entire network of labor and resource extraction. Curator: Exactly! And the museums displaying such artifacts, it's really important to see it from a historical viewpoint to understand the importance behind such displays. Editor: This makes the material suddenly so much more expressive than gold itself.