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

Editor: Here we have a Large Follis of Anastasios I from Constantinople. It's a fascinating bronze coin. What strikes me is how much symbolic weight is packed into such a small object. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Indeed. Notice the emperor's profile, encircled by inscriptions. It's not just a likeness; it's a claim to power, divinely sanctioned. The "M" on the reverse represents the denomination, but consider also its placement beneath a cross; a powerful statement about the empire's identity. How does that visual juxtaposition speak to you? Editor: It feels like the Emperor is trying to declare that the empire's power is justified through faith. It's a merger of political and religious authority. Curator: Precisely! The coin becomes a miniature billboard, broadcasting ideology. Symbols shape perception. What new understanding do you glean from that now? Editor: I see now how a simple coin acts as a powerful symbol of the cultural and religious beliefs of the time.