Follis of Maximian, Lugdunum c. 295

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Maximian from Lugdunum. It's a small bronze coin, and it's incredible to think about all the hands it must have passed through. What can you tell me about the significance of this coin as a historical object? Curator: Coins like this one weren't just currency; they were powerful tools of propaganda. Maximian, as emperor, used them to disseminate his image and project power throughout the Roman Empire. Consider how the choice of imagery and inscription would shape public perception and legitimize his rule. Editor: So, it's like a carefully constructed PR campaign in metal? Curator: Precisely! The placement of these coins, their discovery in certain locations, can tell us about trade routes, military campaigns, and even the social and political climate of the time. What do you think this particular image communicated? Editor: It makes you rethink what art can be, who it serves, and how it shapes our understanding of history. Curator: Absolutely, and remember, every object, even something as small as this coin, is embedded in a complex web of social and political forces.