Follis of Maximinus Daza c. 312

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Maximinus Daza, created by Maximinus Daia. It's quite small and worn, isn't it? What's the story behind this coin? Curator: Well, it’s a powerful object, really. Think about it: this coin represents imperial power during a period of immense social stratification and political turmoil. How might the image on this coin, likely meant to project authority, have been received by those facing oppression? Editor: So, it's not just about money; it's about the emperor's image and how it was used? Curator: Precisely. Consider the vast inequalities of the Roman Empire. This coin circulated amongst both the privileged and those living in enslavement. What does it mean for an image of power to be imposed upon people living such different realities? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. I'll definitely look at coins differently now. Curator: These objects were part of an ongoing dialogue between the powerful and the powerless, a dialogue that continues to resonate today.