Follis of Constantine I, Rome 314

Curator: Here we have a follis of Constantine I, minted in Rome. Its survival speaks volumes. Editor: It looks so small, almost insignificant at first glance, yet its age gives it a certain weighty presence. Curator: Precisely. Think about the physical labor involved in mining the metals, refining them, and striking these coins. It represents not just currency, but the vast infrastructure supporting the Roman Empire. Editor: And the image itself, the portrait of Constantine, becomes a potent symbol of Roman power and authority. How that imagery was disseminated and perceived is truly fascinating. Curator: Indeed. This isn't just metal; it's a carefully constructed message, multiplied and circulated. Editor: A message that still resonates, albeit faintly, across the millennia. A reminder of empires risen and fallen. Curator: I’m struck thinking of the individual hands involved in its production. Editor: And the hands that held it, spent it, and lost it. A tangible link to the past.