Follis (AE3) of Licinius I, Siscia 313

Curator: This is a Follis (AE3) of Licinius I, struck in Siscia and currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums, weighing in at just 2.65 grams. Editor: At first glance, I see two weathered discs—surfaces softened by time. Their materiality speaks of survival. Curator: Indeed. Each face bears an image, though the wear makes them challenging to fully discern. The visual grammar seems distinctly Roman. Editor: Absolutely. As currency, this object embodies economic and political power, revealing Licinius's efforts to solidify his rule and project imperial authority through mass dissemination. Curator: Note the deliberate design; the weight, size and the inscription are all elements of a precise artistic language. Editor: And the coin's journey, from its minting to its discovery, reflects broader historical shifts. Curator: Quite right. The piece offers a stark, formal, yet informative insight. Editor: It offers a small, tangible link to the past, to the complex workings of an empire.