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

Editor: This is a Large Follis of Anastasios I from Constantinople. The wear and tear on the coin are incredible. What can we learn about this object? Curator: We can learn a great deal by analyzing its materiality and context. The coin's bronze composition speaks to the resources available and controlled by the state. Consider its production – the labor involved in mining, smelting, and striking these coins at scale. Editor: So, the coin is more than just currency? Curator: Absolutely! It embodies the economic and social power of the Byzantine Empire. What does the coin's circulation reveal about trade, labor, and daily life? Editor: I see now how the coin's material history connects it to broader systems of power. Curator: Exactly! And understanding the means of its production provides a critical perspective on the societal structures of the time.