Follis of Maurice c. 6th century

This bronze follis was produced during the reign of Maurice Tiberius, who ruled the Byzantine Empire from 582 to 602 AD. As currency, the follis underpinned not only the Empire's economy, but also its systems of power and representation. The coin features an image of Maurice, the Emperor, adorned with a crown, thus emphasizing his divinely sanctioned authority. On the reverse, the symbol of value reflects the economic standards of the time, but also alludes to the socio-political structures that determined wealth and status. Consider how this small object embodies the complex intersection of political power, economic systems, and personal identity. Coins like this one remind us that even the smallest artifacts can reveal the larger societal narratives that shape our world.