Follis of Licinius I, Rome 315

Curator: This humble coin, or follis, bears the name of Licinius I, a Roman emperor, crafted in Rome. It's remarkably small, weighing just under 3 grams. Editor: It’s surprisingly haunting. The patina of age gives it such a weight, you know? The kind that pulls you into thinking about ancient power and its consequences. Curator: Exactly! The obverse features Licinius's profile, while the reverse shows a deity, likely a symbol of Roman authority. It’s a propaganda piece, really, meant to project stability. Editor: It also makes me consider the relationship between imperial power and the value assigned to currency. How is value created, perpetuated, and whose labor is exploited to create value? Curator: Right, who paid the price? And isn’t it funny to think that something so tiny, that once held such importance, can now fit in the palm of your hand? Editor: It reminds us that even the most powerful figures are eventually reduced to relics. Curator: Well said. A fitting memento mori.