Follis of Constantius I, London 307 - 310

Curator: Here we have a follis of Constantius I, minted in London. Editor: It looks so weathered, like a tiny, precious ruin. What’s the story behind it? Curator: Well, this coin offers a glimpse into the Roman Empire’s presence in Britain. Constantius ruled in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries. The weight is less than 5 grams, so it's surprisingly small. Editor: Imagine holding a little piece of an emperor's ambition in your palm, all that power distilled into a coin... it's almost heartbreakingly fragile. Curator: Coins were crucial for imperial propaganda and demonstrating control over territory. London as a mint speaks to the city's importance at the time. Editor: It makes you wonder about all the hands it passed through, the lives it touched. Curator: Absolutely. A reminder that even the grandest empires are built on the everyday transactions of ordinary people. Editor: A powerful thought, isn't it? That something so small can hold so much history.