Follis of Diocletian, Ticinum 300 - 303

Curator: This bronze follis, struck in Ticinum, features Diocletian. Its patina lends it a solemn, aged quality. Editor: The figure of Justice on the reverse is heavily symbolic, isn't it? Those scales seem to signal Diocletian's intention to bring equilibrium to the empire. Curator: The obverse portrait’s linear precision contrasts with the looser rendering of Justice, creating visual tension that holds the composition taut. Editor: Absolutely, and the inscription bordering each image acts as a powerful frame, further reinforcing the coin's symbolic intent. Diocletian clearly wished to project an image of divine order. Curator: Indeed, the surface texture reveals the casting process, anchoring its meaning in the concrete reality of production, material, and design. Editor: It's fascinating how such a small object can carry such weight of cultural and political meaning, a testament to the enduring power of symbols. Curator: A potent blend of form and iconography, indeed. Editor: One can only wonder about the hands through which this has passed.