Coin

Art Historical Context

This diminutive copper alloy coin, often referred to as bronze in museum labels, hails from the 4th century during the early Byzantine Empire—a pivotal era when Emperor Constantine I established Constantinople as the new Rome in 330 AD. Measuring just 5/8 x 1/16 inches, it exemplifies the everyday artistry of Byzantine numismatics, bridging late Roman traditions with the emerging Christian East. Produced in imperial mints, such coins circulated widely, facilitating trade across a vast empire stretching from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. Featuring profile portraits—likely of an emperor o...