Follis of Licinius I, Nicomedia 321 - 324

Curator: This is a Follis of Licinius I, struck in Nicomedia. These coins were, of course, crucial tools for projecting power and imperial ideology across the Roman Empire. Editor: The coin's verdigris patina and worn details evoke a tangible link to its history, a pocket-sized propaganda piece circulating through complex social strata. Curator: Precisely. Consider the process of minting – the labor, the availability of copper, the state control over these resources. Each coin represents a calculated investment in maintaining order. Editor: And the imagery! A portrait of Licinius on one side, and Jupiter holding a scepter on the other. The coin is not merely currency but a portable emblem of state authority and divine approval. Curator: These material objects played an active role in the theater of Roman rule. Editor: Absolutely. It is a privilege to trace the hands and histories connected to this humble, yet powerful object. Curator: A compelling testament to enduring Roman influence and craft.