Follis of Constans II, Constantinople 641 - 656

Editor: This is a Follis of Constans II from Constantinople. It's quite small, almost fits in the palm of your hand. The material looks like it's taken quite a beating. What's significant about this particular coin? Curator: The real value lies in understanding its production. This wasn't high art, it was mass-produced under imperial authority. How does this object speak to the economic systems and labor practices of the Byzantine Empire? Editor: So, it's less about the artistry and more about what it tells us about daily life and the economy? Curator: Precisely. Consider the bronze itself—where did it come from? Who mined it? How does the coin's circulation reflect trade routes and the reach of imperial power? Editor: I guess I hadn't thought about it that way, really interesting! Curator: By focusing on the material and its journey, we unlock a far richer understanding than just admiring its surface.