Follis of Constantine X Ducas, Constantinople 

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Constantine X Ducas from Constantinople. It's a heavy little bronze coin. I'm struck by how worn it is. What does that wear and tear tell us? Curator: It speaks volumes about the coin’s public life. The effigy of Constantine wasn't merely a portrait; it was a carefully crafted image of power. Each coin reinforced his authority, circulating through the empire, making his face a symbol of the state. How do you think its purpose ties in to the imagery that is portrayed on the coin? Editor: I guess each transaction was a small act of acknowledging his rule. I hadn’t thought of coins as propaganda before. Curator: Precisely! This coin is a potent reminder that art, even in miniature, can be a powerful tool of governance. Editor: I’ll never look at pocket change the same way again!