Tetarteron of Constantine X and Romanos IV, Constantinople c. 1070

Curator: Here we have a Byzantine tetarteron, a coin, featuring Constantine X and Romanos IV, hailing from Constantinople. Editor: It appears quite worn, yet still carries a certain solemn weight. The figures seem to be emerging from the metal itself. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this circulated widely, acting as a form of political propaganda, asserting the emperor's authority and legitimacy. The choice of imagery, the emperors themselves, was a direct statement. Editor: Consider how the imagery of the emperor, even on such a small scale, would have resonated. The weight of leadership, divine right, all captured within this small, tangible object. Curator: Absolutely. These coins offer a fascinating window into the social and political landscape of the Byzantine Empire. Editor: Examining this coin allows us to think about how symbols of power persist, even on the smallest scale.