Follis of Crispus, Ticinum 322 - 325

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Crispus from Ticinum. Looking at this coin, it seems incredible that such a small object could wield so much power. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: Coins like this were vital tools for disseminating imperial ideology. Crispus, though eventually executed by his father Constantine, appears here as a powerful, legitimate heir. Consider how images on coinage shaped public perception and reinforced the emperor's authority. Editor: So it's propaganda, in a way? Curator: Exactly. The coin’s design, minting, and circulation were all carefully controlled to project a specific image. The very act of holding this coin connected someone to the Roman Empire's power structure. What does that tell you about the role of imagery? Editor: It really highlights how art is never neutral, especially when it comes to those in power. Thanks! Curator: Precisely. Examining even a small coin reveals the complex interplay of power, image, and society in the Roman world.