Follis of Galerius, Trier c. 303 - 305

Curator: Here we have a Follis of Galerius, found in Trier. It's a copper coin, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The patina! That aged green is just so evocative. It speaks of centuries buried, empires risen and fallen. Curator: Indeed. Note the strong profile, the sharp, almost brutal lines of Galerius's face. It's a study in Roman portraiture. The balance between the inscription and the image provides a clear hierarchy. Editor: And on the reverse, the standing figure – likely a deity representing victory or prosperity – offering a sense of hope and imperial power through symbolic representation. It is a message crafted for its audience. Curator: Precisely. The incuse details, achieved through careful die striking, create both texture and meaning. Editor: A tiny object, yet it echoes with a history of human hopes, fears, and ambitions. Curator: Yes, its scale only magnifies its impact as a carefully designed piece of propaganda.