Follis of Galerius, Thessalonica c. 308 - 310

Editor: This is a Follis of Galerius from Thessalonica, author unknown. I find its worn texture speaks volumes about its age and handling. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: I see power, quite literally in the palm of your hand! Look at the Emperor's portrait – stern, resolute. And then the reverse, the embodiment of Roman virtue, standing strong. Do you think this coin was meant to be simply currency or a statement? Editor: It's probably both, right? But the wear makes me think about all the hands it passed through. Curator: Precisely! It’s a little echo of the past, whispering stories of emperors and everyday transactions. Makes you wonder what lives it touched, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely gives me a new perspective on history. Curator: Coins really can do that – connect us, in a tangible way, to the sweep of human experience.