Follis of Constantine I, Constantinople 333 - 335

Editor: This is a Follis of Constantine I, from Constantinople. It's amazing to hold a coin that was actually touched and used in that era. What symbols jump out at you? Curator: Note how the imagery, even on such a small scale, broadcasts power and authority. The profile of Constantine connects him visually to past emperors, while the figure on the reverse might depict Victory, a symbol loaded with cultural significance. What do these symbols say about Constantine’s ambitions? Editor: It’s like he’s deliberately trying to create a sense of continuity while forging his own legacy. Curator: Precisely! Consider how these symbols, repeated on countless coins, permeated the Roman world, shaping perceptions of Constantine. Editor: I never thought about a coin carrying so much political weight. Curator: It's a fascinating reminder that even the smallest objects can carry immense cultural and psychological power.