Follis of Justin I(?), Constantinople 518 - 527

Curator: Before us, we have a Follis of Justin I, likely from Constantinople. What strikes you about this piece? Editor: Its aged patina, that verdigris, speaks volumes. The wear suggests it's passed through countless hands, each leaving an imprint on its form. It speaks of trade, labor, and daily economic exchange. Curator: Precisely, the coin's materiality, the copper alloy, illustrates the economic and material conditions of the time. The creation of such a piece points to the political authority and resources available to Justin I. Editor: Looking closer, the incised imagery, though worn, reveals much about Byzantine aesthetics: the emperor's profile, the monumental "M". It's a study in miniature composition, really. Curator: Indeed, but the significance extends beyond mere aesthetics. Consider how this coin facilitated markets and sustained a vast empire through the labor involved in extracting, producing, and circulating these objects. Editor: Ultimately, it's a humble, yet powerful, object. Curator: Absolutely, a tangible link to the past, revealing the intricate web of power, production, and purpose.