Follis of Maxentius, Rome 308 - 310

Curator: This is a follis of Maxentius, a Roman coin, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s tiny, but powerful! The wear and patina give it such a tangible sense of age. Curator: Absolutely. Think about the socio-political context: Maxentius was a usurper. These coins, produced in Rome itself, served as vital propaganda tools. His image, his power—minted and disseminated. Editor: And the material, this bronze alloy, speaks volumes about production—mining, smelting, the labor involved. It connects directly to Rome's resource exploitation. Curator: Precisely. On the reverse, you see a temple—a symbol of state-sponsored religion. It reinforces Maxentius’s claim to legitimacy. Editor: It’s fascinating how such a small object held such a weight of political and economic power. Curator: The intersection of image, material, and circulation tells a story far grander than its physical size. Editor: Indeed, a tangible link to complex histories, all embodied in a humble coin.