Follis of Licinius II 321 - 324

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Licinius II, a small bronze coin. The wear on the coin makes me wonder, how was it made and what was its role in the economy? Curator: Its bronze composition speaks volumes. It wasn't about inherent value, but about state-controlled production. The images impressed onto the coin were critical in visually communicating imperial power. How did it circulate? Who handled it? Editor: So the coin itself becomes a medium, beyond just currency. Curator: Precisely. The coin’s materiality and distribution are vital clues to understanding power structures and the flow of resources in the Roman Empire. What do you think the coin’s presence in a museum does to these readings?