Follis of Constantine I Caesar, Rome 307

Curator: This bronze follis was created for Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great. Weighing just under 6 grams, it's a small object that speaks volumes. Editor: Its age is palpable. It evokes a sense of immense historical weight, that patina whispers of centuries passed. Curator: Precisely! The portrait of Constantine, rendered in profile, embodies the power he sought to project. And on the reverse, a temple facade suggests a dedication, perhaps to a divine authority he wished to associate himself with. Editor: These coins were so crucial as propaganda. Think of the messages being circulated; images establishing power, legitimacy, even divinity. It's fascinating to consider how these small objects shaped public perception. Curator: Absolutely. The temple icon carries cultural memory, reminding people of traditional Roman values even as Constantine shifted towards Christianity. It represents the image of a transitional era, bridging the old and new. Editor: It shows how rulers manipulate symbols to shape their image. A tiny coin, a huge statement about power and its representation. Curator: A potent reminder that even the smallest object can carry enormous symbolic and political weight. Editor: Indeed, food for thought about the narratives we embed in the objects around us even today.