Follis of Justin II, Constantinople 569 - 571

Curator: Here we have a Follis of Justin II, a coin crafted in Constantinople. The very act of minting currency speaks volumes about the centralization of power. Editor: The bas-relief has eroded over time, which lends it a sense of mystery. It's like a hidden symbolic language worn smooth with age. Curator: Absolutely. These weren't just monetary objects; they were tools of imperial propaganda. Distributing these coins meant circulating the emperor's image and authority. Editor: The rough, asymmetrical edges, create this interesting play between decay and durability, almost like a memento mori. Curator: In its time, this coin was a powerful tool of statecraft. Now it's a reminder of just how much has changed. Editor: Indeed, and yet it also evokes a sense of timelessness, a link to something greater than ourselves.