Half Follis of Anastasios I, Constantinople 498 - 518

Editor: Here we have the Half Follis of Anastasios I from Constantinople. Given its age, the wear and tear are quite striking. What can you tell me about the object? Curator: Look at the materiality. It’s not just a coin, but a product of labor, a signifier of imperial power circulated through the Byzantine economy. The very act of minting, the physical creation, reflects the empire's need to control its resources and project authority. Editor: So, the value isn't just monetary, but a statement? Curator: Exactly! The coin's debasement over time, the wear, and the eventual loss – each tells a story of use, value, and the ebb and flow of the Byzantine world. What do you make of that? Editor: That makes me look at the coin with new appreciation!