Follis of Licinius I, Cyzicus 313 - 315

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Licinius I from Cyzicus, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a tiny coin, worn smooth with age. What kind of stories do you think it carries? Curator: Coins are fascinating time capsules. Notice the profile of Licinius—that image was deliberately circulated to project power. What emotional response do you think that profile was meant to elicit from its original audience? Editor: Respect, maybe even a little fear? It feels very formal and imposing. Curator: Precisely. And the figure on the reverse, likely a deity, reinforces the emperor's legitimacy. It’s a symbolic language that speaks volumes about the culture's values and beliefs. Editor: It's amazing how much meaning can be packed into such a small object. I'll never look at a coin the same way again. Curator: Indeed! Symbols shape our understanding of the world, whether on ancient coins or in contemporary art.