Follis of Justinian I, Antioch on the Orontes 542 - 565

Curator: Looking at this "Follis of Justinian I," originating from Antioch on the Orontes, I feel a connection to the past, almost like holding a fragment of history. Editor: It strikes me as incredibly fragile, but also as a powerful statement of imperial authority and the control of trade networks. Curator: It’s more than just currency; it’s a tiny, portable billboard! I'm tickled by the thought of who might have clutched this, what it bought. Editor: Exactly. This coin wasn't just a means of exchange. It was propaganda, circulating ideas about power and legitimacy, influencing the political landscape and the cultural mindset of the time. Curator: It’s humbling to hold an object like this. It makes me think about the impermanence of everything, including our own grand designs. Editor: It is. And yet, here it is, a witness to empires, reminding us of the enduring questions of power, value, and representation that still resonate today.