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

Curator: Here we have a Half Follis of Anastasios I, struck in Constantinople. It's a copper coin, and the state of its preservation really speaks to its age. Editor: It looks like it's been through a lot! You can barely make out the images, but there is something weighty and ancient about it. Curator: Absolutely. As a material object, this coin allows us to think about the economic structures of the Byzantine Empire and how even the smallest denominations helped fuel daily life. The production of such coinage also indicates a centrally controlled economy. Editor: I'm struck by the image itself. Though worn, you can make out the imperial portrait. Coins like this were vital in communicating the emperor's power and legitimacy, solidifying his image in the vast empire. Curator: And the coin's physical existence, its circulation through countless hands, is a powerful reminder of human connection across time. Each coin represents labor, exchange, and societal organization. Editor: It's easy to forget how something so small can carry so much cultural weight. Looking at this humble coin gives us a tangible connection to the past. Curator: Indeed, a powerful link to an empire long gone.