Follis of Michael III, Syracuse 842 - 867

Curator: This is a Follis coin issued during the reign of Michael III in Syracuse. It weighs just over 3 grams. The wear suggests extensive circulation. Editor: It looks so humble, almost lost to time. The eroded surfaces speak to its journey through countless hands. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the labor involved in its creation. Each coin, though small, represents a significant investment of material and skill. Editor: And each transaction, a reflection of power dynamics. Who had it, who needed it, what could it buy? It’s a tiny window onto a complex society. Curator: Precisely. The materiality of the copper alloy, its physical degradation – these are tangible reminders of economic activity and trade networks. Editor: Seeing this, I’m reminded of the countless untold stories embedded within objects often overlooked by history. Curator: Indeed, it’s in these everyday artifacts that we find the most profound connections to the past. Editor: Exactly. It prompts reflection on wealth, labor, and societal inequality of the era.