Follis of Maximinus II, Alexandria 308 - 310

Curator: Here we have a Follis of Maximinus II, Alexandria, crafted by Maximinus I Thrax. The coin itself weighs about 6.2 grams. Editor: There's a certain somber quality to it, isn’t there? Seeing the wear on the metal, the slightly blurred image of the emperor. It speaks of the passage of time and its effect on power. Curator: Absolutely. Coins such as this were not just currency, but also powerful tools of propaganda. The image of the emperor, the inscriptions—everything was carefully chosen to project an image of strength and legitimacy, particularly crucial given the tumultuous political landscape of the Roman Empire at that time. Editor: Considering the context of empire, who had access to this image and what was the social role of this object? Was it intended to create a sense of shared identity or to solidify the elite’s control? Curator: These coins were distributed widely, reaching diverse populations. Understanding their distribution helps us consider how imperial power was disseminated and perceived. Editor: It prompts us to think about the power dynamics embedded within seemingly simple objects. Food for thought indeed. Curator: Precisely, it reveals a lot about the public role of art during the Roman Empire.