Follis of Constantine I, London 310 - 312

Editor: Here we see the Follis of Constantine I, likely from London. It's a small, worn coin, but I'm struck by how this humble object circulated as currency. What can we learn from its materiality? Curator: The coin's bronze composition speaks volumes. It points to Roman labor practices, mining, and the technology of minting under imperial control. Who were the artisans producing these en masse, and what were their working conditions? Editor: So, it's not just about the image of Constantine, but the whole system of production? Curator: Precisely! The coin embodies the economic and social structures sustaining the empire. Its wear reveals the extent of its use, tracing economic activity across the region. Editor: Fascinating! I'll never look at a coin the same way again. Curator: Considering its manufacture, distribution, and degradation provides a new outlook on its importance.