Follis of Tiberius II, Constantinople 

Curator: Here we have a Follis of Tiberius II, from Constantinople. Editor: It's fascinating to consider how something so small could carry so much symbolic weight! The wear and tear only add to its story. Curator: Exactly! The images are charged with meaning: on one side, the emperor himself, representing power and authority. Editor: And the reverse side featuring "M", the denomination mark, a cross above it, framed by the inscription "ANNO" on top and "CONE" below. I wonder about the artisans. What were their conditions? What tools did they employ to achieve this level of detail on such a small surface? Curator: Knowing that this was a mass-produced object, it reminds us that even mundane items can become powerful symbols and cultural artifacts. Editor: A beautiful example of how material objects can speak volumes about power, labor, and belief systems. Curator: Indeed, a tiny object reflecting a vast empire.