Follis of Diocletian, Carthage 298 - 299

Curator: This object is a follis of Diocletian, likely dating from the late 3rd or early 4th century CE, and minted in Carthage. Editor: It looks so worn, yet those faint figures evoke a kind of enduring power. I wonder about the copper content and how it affected the coin's survival. Curator: Indeed. That wear is a testament to its history. The portrait of Diocletian would have served as a potent symbol of imperial authority. The other figure represents a deity, perhaps Roma or a local Carthaginian god. Editor: So, more than just currency, it’s a political statement hammered out with brute force and then circulated for everyday transactions. Where did the metal come from, and who labored to make these? Curator: Precisely. It visually connected the emperor to both divine and earthly power. Editor: Thinking about its physicality really brings the past to life for me. The coin’s creation involved resources, labor, and an intent to communicate power. Curator: For me, it's a potent reminder of the weight of symbols, how they persist and transform over time.