Follis of Anastasios I, Constantinople 498 - 518

Editor: This is a Follis coin of Anastasios I from Constantinople. It's a small bronze piece, worn with age. What can you tell me about the stories this coin holds? Curator: Well, this coin speaks to power and identity. Anastasios's image, however stylized, asserts his authority. But more interestingly, the coin reveals the complex economic and social structures of the Byzantine Empire. Think about who handled this coin and how the state maintained visibility and control. Editor: So, it's not just money, it's a symbol of something bigger? Curator: Exactly. It's about the Byzantine state’s reach into everyday life. Consider the exploitation and inequality embedded in these systems of power. Each coin represents labor, trade, and a complex web of social relations. Editor: That’s given me a lot to think about; thank you. Curator: Of course! Coins like this offer tangible links to the past, and it is crucial to think about the historical implications they had for people across all social strata.