Follis of Constantine I, Trier 323

Editor: Here we have a bronze follis coin of Constantine I. It's small, and worn, but you can still make out the emperor's profile on one side and some kind of structure on the other. What can you tell us about this coin? Curator: This coin acts as a powerful artifact, revealing much about Constantine's reign. Beyond its function as currency, the imagery, likely the altar, reflects the state's evolving religious landscape. Consider how Constantine strategically employed symbols to solidify his power and negotiate complex social and religious transitions. How does this object speak to the intersection of power, religion, and identity in the late Roman Empire? Editor: That's a lot to think about! So, it's less about the coin itself and more about what it represents. Curator: Precisely. It's a lens through which we can examine the negotiations of identity and authority during a period of profound transformation.