Follis of Diocletian, Trier c. 294

Curator: This is a Follis of Diocletian, struck in Trier. Look closely, and you can see the wear. Editor: It's incredibly tactile; the patina suggests a life lived exchanging hands, a silent witness to history. Curator: Absolutely, these coins weren’t just currency; they symbolized Diocletian's power, an attempt to stabilize the Roman economy during a period of crisis. The imagery promotes his image as restorer of the Roman world. Editor: Observe the crisp, circular design—the effigy, the lettering. Even in this state of preservation, the coin retains a kind of formal elegance and structural integrity. Curator: The coin reflects Diocletian's efforts to reassert imperial authority, attempting to reshape the political and social landscape of the late Roman Empire, even down to currency. Editor: A small object, yet resonant with monumental implications. It’s remarkable how such concise forms can communicate so much, even now.