Copper Follis of Roger of Antioch c. 1112 - 1119

Curator: Here we have a Copper Follis of Roger of Antioch. It's a small coin, isn't it? Only about 4.7 grams. Editor: Tiny, but feels weighty, historically. I get a sense of worn power, like an ancient worry stone. Curator: Well, Antioch was an important city during the Crusades, a melting pot of cultures, so it's a powerful symbol, yes. Editor: Look at the imagery on it, almost indecipherable. What was it like to hold actual power over people's lives? Curator: One side is the Virgin Mary, the other is Roger of Antioch himself. Editor: Interesting, very human to put yourself on a coin next to a deity. A bold statement! Curator: It's a statement of authority. It's fascinating how visual languages change, or remain the same. Editor: It makes me think how everything is recycled, even symbols, even power. Curator: Indeed. Visual languages continue to evolve, yet, echoes of the past remain.