Follis of Diocletian, Antioch 304 - 305

Curator: This is a Follis of Diocletian, minted in Antioch. Look closely at its worn surface. What do you notice? Editor: The coin's rough texture and its dark brown hue create a somber feel, giving it the appearance of something unearthed from a long-forgotten place. The piercing at the top is intriguing, too. Curator: Indeed. These coins weren't just currency; they also functioned as propaganda. The portrait of Diocletian on one side and the image of a Roman deity on the other were meant to project power and stability. Editor: I see the figure on the reverse. It looks like Jupiter, holding a scepter. That imagery would certainly resonate with ideas of divine authority. Curator: Precisely! Diocletian sought to stabilize the empire, and this coin, though small, embodies his efforts to legitimize his rule. Editor: It’s a powerful artifact. It makes you consider the narratives that societies imprint on everyday objects, even coins. Curator: Exactly. The coin illustrates an intersection of power, belief, and visual messaging, revealing the public role of imagery. Editor: It leaves me pondering how perceptions of value change and how symbols endure over time.