Half Follis of Justinian I, Antioch on the Orontes 533 - 537

Editor: Here we have a "Half Follis of Justinian I, Antioch on the Orontes." Seeing this worn coin, I'm struck by how tactile it feels, even through an image. What does its materiality tell us about its role in society? Curator: The coin's copper alloy composition speaks directly to the Byzantine economy, a regulated material flow controlled by the state. Its production, a process of casting and striking, reveals centralized power exerting its influence through standardized currency. How might this mass production have impacted local artisans? Editor: That's fascinating! It challenges my ideas about art and craft. I hadn't considered the coin as a product of larger social systems. Curator: Exactly! By analyzing the coin's materials and manufacture, we move beyond aesthetic value to understand its function as a commodity and a tool of imperial control. Editor: I see it now. It's not just an object, but a symbol of Byzantine power and economy.