Follis of Constantine I, Nicomedia 321 - 324

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Constantine I from Nicomedia. It's so small, and the figures are worn, but the weight feels significant. What can you tell me about this coin? Curator: This coin represents more than mere currency; it's a powerful statement of imperial authority. Consider the socio-political context of Constantine's rule. How does this seemingly insignificant object reinforce his power through representation and dissemination? Editor: So, it's about more than just the image of Constantine himself? Curator: Absolutely. Think about the image of power projected onto the female figure on the coin’s reverse, and the power dynamics between them. The coin becomes a vehicle for propagating a specific, and very gendered, imperial narrative. We must ask who benefitted from that narrative, and who was excluded. Editor: That definitely shifts how I see it. It's not just a portrait, but a carefully constructed piece of propaganda. Curator: Precisely. And by recognizing that, we can begin to understand its impact and implications for the people living under Constantine's rule.