Copper Follis of Baldwin II of Edessa c. 1100 - 1118

Editor: This is an ancient copper coin, a Follis, minted by Baldwin II of Edessa. It's small, worn, yet I find it powerful that such a little object carried so much symbolic weight. What can you tell me about the imagery used here? Curator: The figure on one side, likely Baldwin himself, evokes a sense of authority. Consider the cross on the other. What emotional and cultural significance might that have held for people at the time? Editor: As a symbol of faith, it must have reassured people of the ruler's legitimacy and divine favor. Curator: Precisely. These symbols were a language, a means of communicating power, faith, and identity. It's a potent reminder of how much meaning can be packed into even the smallest of objects. Editor: I never thought about coins carrying so much cultural memory. Curator: Indeed. It shows how images can resonate through time, shaping our understanding of the past.