Follis of Constantine I, Alexandria 311 - 312

Curator: Well, hello! This is a Follis of Constantine I, minted in Alexandria. It really captures something about the man, doesn't it? Editor: It's weighty. Not just in terms of importance, but I can almost feel the heft of it. Sort of grounding, you know? Like connecting to something ancient. Curator: Absolutely. Coins were essential for communicating power. See how his portrait dominates one side, an idealized image meant to project authority. Editor: And on the other side, is that a figure of victory? It feels slightly worn, almost like a whispered promise, not a shout. Curator: That's right, a figure of Victory. These coins were distributed widely, shaping public perception of Constantine's reign. It's propaganda, of course, but also a little work of art. Editor: It's a really tangible link to an empire. Makes you wonder what stories this little coin could tell, the hands it passed through, the places it traveled. It's more than just metal, it's a narrative, isn't it?