Follis of Galerius, Rome 302 - 303

Editor: Here we have a Roman Follis of Galerius, created by Galerius himself. It’s tarnished and worn, but something about the weight of history in such a small object is really striking. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see an emperor immortalized in metal, a tangible piece of propaganda meant to project power and stability. The wear and tear, though, that tells another story – the coin passed through countless hands, witnessing the ebb and flow of an empire. It makes me wonder who held it last, and what they thought as they did. Editor: It’s funny, I was thinking about power too, but more about how fragile it can be. A king’s face, literally defaced! Curator: Exactly! It’s a beautiful ruin, isn't it? A little corroded mirror reflecting big ideas.