Bronze Coin (AE4) of Constans, Arles after 340

Curator: Let's consider this bronze coin of Constans, minted in Arles. The weight is about 1.62 grams. Editor: Immediately striking is the patina, like aged leather. Time, of course, acts as both sculptor and storyteller here. Curator: The coin presents an interesting study in imperial portraiture. We see Constans in profile, and on the reverse, likely a depiction of military victory or imperial authority. Editor: Power is always inscribed on these objects. Who gets to be represented, and how? It's also a question of economic and social control, even through currency. Curator: Indeed. The formal composition adheres to established conventions, reinforcing the emperor's image. Notice the clean lines. Editor: Yes, but also think about the historical context. The economic policies of the time, social hierarchies… such a tiny object holds so much history. Curator: A potent reminder of the past, still speaking to us across the centuries. Editor: Absolutely. It leaves me thinking about the many hands it passed through.