Follis of Anastasios I c. 498 - 518

Curator: This is a Follis of Anastasios I, a bronze coin minted during his reign in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. It's quite small, but dense. Editor: It feels incredibly weighty, both physically and symbolically. The wear and tear speak volumes about its journey through history, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. Coins like this were instrumental in the Byzantine economy, a tangible tool of imperial power circulating amongst a diverse populace. What can we learn about the political and cultural messaging inscribed on this coin? Editor: Well, on one side, we see a profile of Anastasios I, which immediately brings up questions of representation and authority. Who was he trying to reach, and what image was he cultivating? The other side bears a large "M", a symbol whose meaning is deeply rooted in the socio-economic structures of its time. Curator: Indeed, that "M" represents the denomination of the coin, forty nummi. Its visibility served as a constant reminder of Byzantine power and fiscal policy. Editor: Examining this coin offers a fascinating lens into Byzantium's economy and the emperor's strategic use of imagery. Curator: It certainly makes you consider the intersectional nature of how currency and power have shaped societies through time. Editor: I agree; it provides a tangible link to the past that we can still interpret today.