Hexagram of Constans II c. 659s

Curator: This is a Hexagram of Constans II, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a worn, weighty feel. A glimpse into a distant world, yet also, undeniably, a form of propaganda. Curator: Indeed. Constans II, the Byzantine Emperor, likely commissioned this coin to solidify his image and authority during a turbulent period. The imagery would've circulated broadly, reinforcing his power. Editor: On one side we see what appears to be Constans with his son, Constantine IV. It’s rare to see such intimate familial representation on currency, suggesting a deliberate attempt to emphasize dynastic succession. Curator: Absolutely. And the reverse likely depicts the emperor, flanked by two other figures, perhaps officials or military leaders, reinforcing his rule. Editor: The coin's materiality speaks to power, but also to its potential for subversion. Each hand it passed through could have silently judged the emperor's policies. Curator: And the wear and tear shows it was in circulation, handled and exchanged—becoming a silent witness to the economics and social climate of the era. Editor: I find myself pondering the hands that held this coin. What stories did it silently collect as currency and a potent symbol of imperial power? Curator: It’s a tangible reminder that even the smallest objects can offer insights into the larger structures of power and the lives of those who lived under them.