Follis of Maximian, Antioch c. 298

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Maximian from Antioch. What strikes me is how the portrait on one side is so incredibly detailed for such a tiny object. What do you make of it? Curator: It’s remarkable, isn't it? To think of the skill involved! But beyond skill, imagine the ego it takes to put your face on currency! Did Maximian see himself as embodying the very strength and stability of the Roman Empire? Editor: So, it's not just a coin; it's a statement? Curator: Precisely! It’s propaganda, power, and portraiture all rolled into one little disc. It's like a mini-manifesto declaring, "I am Rome!" Editor: I never thought of it that way before. Curator: Coins often tell the biggest stories.