Large Follis of Anastasios I, Constantinople c. 498 - 518

Editor: Here we have a Large Follis of Anastasios I from Constantinople. It’s quite small, but the details are impressive. What do you make of it? Curator: It’s a powerful object. Coinage like this served as a form of propaganda. Consider how the image of Anastasios I, even in miniature, projects authority. Editor: Propaganda? How so? Curator: The emperor's image, circulated widely, visually reinforced his power and legitimacy. The coin itself became a symbol of the state's reach and economic stability. Does that change how you see its role? Editor: I hadn't thought about the visual impact beyond its face value. This has given me a whole new perspective. Curator: Precisely! That's the beauty of studying art in its historical context.