Follis of Constantine X, Constantinople 1059 - 1067

Editor: This is a Follis coin, from Constantinople, made during the reign of Constantine X. The images are so worn! What kind of stories do you imagine this coin could tell? Curator: Oh, if only coins could talk! I envision this little disc whispering tales of Byzantine markets, perhaps changing hands between a spice merchant and a craftsman. The wear itself speaks of countless transactions, a tangible link to a distant past. Do you notice how the figures, likely imperial portraits, have almost vanished? It’s like time is slowly erasing their power. Editor: So, it's not just about the artistry but also about the coin’s journey? Curator: Exactly! It’s a miniature monument, surviving empires and echoing lives. We look at it, and for a moment, the gap between then and now shrinks. Editor: I never thought about it that way before, seeing a coin as more than just currency. Curator: Every object has a voice, dear. Sometimes, you just have to listen closely.