Follis of Galerius, London 305 - 307

Editor: Here we have a bronze Follis of Galerius. It's small, worn, but also feels incredibly weighty and significant. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see more than just a coin; it's a powerful declaration of imperial authority, circulated within a complex network of social and economic control. Who was deemed worthy of representation, and how did that reinforce existing power structures? Editor: So, the very act of minting and distributing this coin was a political statement? Curator: Precisely. Consider the messages embedded in its imagery. How did Galerius use his image to legitimize his rule within the shifting political landscape of the Roman Empire? These choices weren't arbitrary. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't thought about it in terms of a carefully constructed image. Curator: These objects acted as propaganda, shaping public perception. It makes you wonder about the unseen narratives embedded within its very existence. Editor: I'll definitely be looking at coins differently from now on!