Large Follis of Anastasios I, Constantinople c. 498 - 518

Curator: Isn’t it amazing how something so small can hold so much history? This is a large follis from Constantinople, made under the reign of Anastasios I. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn’t it? Not just physically, but with the weight of centuries. That oxidation creates a beautiful, almost melancholic patina. Curator: Absolutely. Anastasios, whose portrait we see here, implemented important financial reforms, and this coin symbolizes that shift. Editor: And the large 'M' on the reverse, flanked by stars, that’s a clear and bold statement of value. I wonder what stories this particular coin could tell if it could speak? Curator: Probably tales of bustling markets and imperial decrees. To me, these aren’t just artifacts; they're almost like tiny time capsules, carrying echoes of the past. Editor: I agree completely. It's almost magical how an object like this can transcend time, and let us feel connected to a distant past.