Follis of Constantine I, Arelate (Arles) c. 317 - 318

Editor: This is a Follis of Constantine I from Arelate, but the exact date of creation is unknown. The coin is small and made of bronze, seemingly worn down by time and use. What does this coin tell us about its historical context? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about the Roman monetary system, the labor involved in its production, and the bronze that was mined and refined. Consider how the image of Constantine, replicated en masse, served as a tool for projecting imperial power and controlling the flow of resources. Editor: So it's not just a piece of currency, but also evidence of social and economic systems? Curator: Exactly. Its materiality and widespread distribution reveals the mechanisms of power and the consumption habits of the time. Editor: That's given me a lot to think about. Thanks for helping me see the coin in a new light! Curator: My pleasure. It's fascinating how a small object can unlock such broader understandings.