Follis of Licinius I, Antioch 317 - 320

Curator: Here we have a Follis of Licinius I, minted in Antioch. Licinius I, who reigned in the early 4th century, was a key figure in the late Roman Empire. Editor: It's remarkable how such a small object, weighing just under 4 grams, can hold so much detail. The incised lines create a surprising depth. Curator: Indeed. These coins weren't just currency; they were instruments of imperial propaganda. Licinius used them to project power and legitimacy. Editor: Looking at the composition, the portrait is quite stylized, almost iconic. It's not about individual likeness so much as the representation of imperial authority. Curator: Precisely. And the figure on the reverse, likely a deity, reinforces the emperor's connection to divine power, a critical aspect of Roman rule. Editor: There is also an appealing aesthetic quality to its circular form. And the material itself has endured—these objects survive as tangible links to the past. Curator: Their survival gives us insight into the political and economic landscape of the period, demonstrating how power and ideology were circulated. Editor: So this tiny coin encapsulates the grand narrative of Roman imperial power. It's a reminder that even the smallest objects can carry immense meaning.