Follis of Maximinus II Daza, Cyzicus 311 - 312

Curator: Here we have a Follis of Maximinus II Daza, struck in Cyzicus. It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The verdigris is quite striking! It gives the coin an almost aqueous, ethereal quality. Curator: Indeed, the coin's degradation is important. Maximinus's image and the inscriptions represent an attempt to consolidate power in a tumultuous era of the Roman Empire. Editor: The weight of 2.47 grams tells us a lot about the economic pressures of the time. Debasement, inflation... it all reflects systemic instability. Curator: Precisely. This coin isn't just a portrait; it's a material record of social and political realities. Editor: It's amazing how a small object can speak volumes about power, labor, and the ephemeral nature of empires. Curator: A potent reminder that even the mightiest rulers are subject to material decay. Editor: It truly prompts reflection on how we assign value, both then and now.