Coin (AE3) of Arcadius, Constantinople (CONS2) 395 - 401

Curator: Here we have a copper coin, an AE3 of Arcadius, which was minted in Constantinople. Editor: There's a certain weight to it, a tangible connection to the past, even with its weathered surface. Curator: Precisely. Consider the labor involved in its production: the mining of copper, the crafting of dies, the striking of each coin. It reflects the empire's economic structure. Editor: And the politics! This coin served as a propagandistic tool, a constant reminder of Arcadius's authority circulating throughout the empire. The image of the emperor reinforced the established social order. Curator: Indeed, the coin's materiality facilitated its role in disseminating power, acting as both currency and a symbol of imperial control. Editor: It's more than just money; it is a portable declaration of imperial power. Curator: Exactly, examining this small object allows us to appreciate a wide range of social and material elements. Editor: Ultimately, it shows how something as seemingly insignificant as a coin embodies so much of history.