Large Follis of Anastasios I, Constantinople c. 498 - 518

Editor: Here we have a Large Follis of Anastasios I from Constantinople. It’s...well, it looks like a well-worn penny, but much, much older! I find it amazing that something so small could represent so much power. What stands out to you about this coin? Curator: It’s funny you say that. To me, it’s not just a coin, it’s a tiny window into a world ruled by emperors and the weight of history. I can almost feel the hands that exchanged it. See the "M"? That represents 40 nummi, a declaration of value, of trust, backed by an empire. And the portrait of Anastasios? A carefully crafted image meant to project authority and legitimacy. Editor: So, it's more than just loose change? It's a story in your pocket! Curator: Precisely! And each imperfection tells a different tale.