Follis of Licinius I, Heraclea 318 - 320

Curator: Looking at the Follis of Licinius I, minted in Heraclea, one immediately notices its state of preservation. Editor: Yes, the patinated surface speaks volumes. The design, though worn, retains a balanced composition—a face in profile versus a stylized city gate. Curator: Indeed. Considering the weight, a mere 2.75 grams, and the wear, one wonders about its circulation and handling by countless individuals. Was it a token of imperial power or everyday commerce? Editor: Both, perhaps? Its form and imagery served to broadcast power, but the small hole drilled in it suggests its value may have outlasted its function as currency, becoming adornment or amulet. Curator: Precisely, altering the artifact’s intended use, while possibly reducing its fiscal value, could have extended its social relevance far beyond Licinius’s reign. Editor: Absolutely. It reminds us that art objects possess not only intrinsic beauty but also a dynamic history shaped by their interaction with people and time. Curator: Well said; it's fascinating how such a small item can contain such a wealth of information and potential narratives. Editor: It certainly is.