Follis of Constantius I, Siscia c. 295

Editor: This is a Follis of Constantius I, Siscia. The details are worn from age, but I can make out a figure on each side. What stories do you think it holds? Curator: Well, these aren't just images; they're assertions of power. The coin served as propaganda, visually reinforcing Constantius's authority within a complex political landscape. Consider how this object would have circulated, shaping public perception and solidifying imperial control. Editor: So, it's more than just currency; it's a statement? Curator: Precisely. Think about the very act of minting this coin. Who had the power to create and control these images? What did it mean to have Constantius’s face on something everyone used daily? It is a message of total domination. Editor: That makes you rethink something so common, like money. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It’s a small object with a big voice.