Follis of Maximian, Lugdunum 301 - 303

Curator: Here we have a Follis of Maximian, Lugdunum. Editor: It looks pretty beat up; I like that. Feels like it's got a real story, like you could rub it and a genie would pop out. Curator: Well, it certainly circulated! This coin features the likeness of Maximianus I Herculius, who ruled as Roman Emperor from 286 to 305 AD. Editor: Emperor as artist, huh? What a flex. I get the power move, putting your mug on money. It's like the original selfie. Curator: Coins served as important propaganda tools. Images and inscriptions communicated power and legitimacy throughout the empire. Editor: It's easy to see the appeal. Small object, huge impact. Still, you wonder, what kind of decisions were made holding this particular coin? Curator: Indeed, each coin, like this one, bears witness to individual transactions and the broader economic landscape. Editor: Makes you think, even a small artifact can hold empires inside. Curator: Absolutely. The echoes of history resonate in this humble coin.