Follis of Justinian I, Antioch on the Orontes 549 - 550

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Justinian I, struck in Antioch. The bronze material looks so worn. What does this coin reveal about its production and its role in society? Curator: Consider the labor involved in extracting, refining, and minting this bronze. This coin wasn’t just a symbol of power, but a product of extensive resource extraction, skilled craftsmanship, and state control over production. How did this material process shape social relations and economic structures in Antioch? Editor: So, it's less about the image of Justinian and more about what it took to make it? Curator: Exactly. The materiality and production speak volumes about the empire’s logistical capabilities and its reliance on both skilled and perhaps forced labor. Does focusing on this change your understanding of its significance? Editor: Definitely. It’s a reminder that even small objects can tell a big story about power and production.