Follis of Constantius I, Antioch 304 - 305

Curator: Here we have a Follis of Constantius I, minted in Antioch. Editor: It looks like something dredged up from the sea, a kind of ghostly artifact. Curator: Indeed! The coin features a portrait of Constantius I Chlorus, the Roman emperor, while the reverse displays a figure, perhaps a personification of Abundance or Peace. Editor: Hmm, abundance… it feels more like a relic of survival. All that remains of an empire pressed onto a small disc. Curator: It served as a powerful emblem. This imagery reinforced imperial authority. Editor: Well, I’m definitely feeling the weight of history here.