Coin (AE3) of Arcadius, Cyzicus? (SMKA) 395 - 401

Editor: Here we have a coin, likely from Cyzicus, dating back to the time of Arcadius. It’s small, bronze, and honestly, pretty worn. What stories do you think this little thing could tell? Curator: Oh, if only it could talk! For me, it whispers of power, doesn't it? The weight of an empire, the daily grind of its economy all distilled into this one, humble object. I wonder what hands held it? What did they buy? Editor: That's a lovely thought! What about the imagery? I can make out figures, but they're so faint. Curator: Well, the figures are likely Arcadius himself, maybe with Victory, standard imperial fare. But think, each strike of the die, each coin minted, a tiny act of propaganda. Now, what do *you* make of it? Editor: I guess, thinking of it as propaganda gives it a whole new layer. It’s more than just money; it’s a message. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! Every artwork, no matter how small, is a world in miniature.