Large Follis of Anastasios I, Constantinople c. 498 - 518

Curator: Up next we have a Large Follis of Anastasios I. Editor: It looks humble; worn around the edges, yet I feel the weight of history pressing down, don't you? Curator: Absolutely. Minted in Constantinople, this bronze coin offers a tangible connection to the Byzantine Empire, and the reign of Anastasios during a critical period of economic and administrative reform. Editor: Given its purpose, it is striking how gendered this object reads to me. It is both a portrait of masculine power but also an indicator of patriarchal society at the time. Curator: Indeed, and the imagery, from the emperor's depiction to the symbols of the state, served as visual propaganda, shaping perceptions of authority and legitimacy. Editor: Considering money's role then and now, this follis seems more than just currency. It represents who we were and the narratives we continue to weave. Curator: Precisely. The Follis reminds us that these objects continue to offer multifaceted reflections of our past.