Follis of Maximianus 305 - 306

Curator: Here we have a follis of Maximianus, created by Maximianus I Herculius, and part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It appears quite worn; the surfaces seem rough. It reminds me of labor and trade, but also of the ravages of time. Curator: Indeed, the wear on this coin speaks to its circulation within the Roman economy. Consider the visual language employed: the incised portrait, the clear, if degraded, inscriptions. These elements all contribute to the coin's function as a tool of imperial propaganda. Editor: And to the immense effort required to mint such objects. We should remember that the materials themselves—the metal, the tools—had to be extracted and refined, all labor intensive. Curator: Precisely, and the artistry of the engraver, crafting symbolic representations within such a small space, elevates it beyond mere currency. Editor: It is more than simple currency; this is a cultural artifact shaped by empire, labor, and time. Curator: A multifaceted object, truly.