Follis of Licinius, Heraclea 316 - 317

Editor: This is a follis of Licinius, a coin currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. One side features a portrait, while the other depicts what seems to be a fortified gate. What stories does this coin tell? Curator: Well, it prompts us to think about Licinius's anxieties about power. The fortified gate might represent not just physical protection, but also the protection of his reign. It asks, what was he trying to protect himself from? Editor: So, the coin isn’t just money, but also propaganda? Curator: Exactly. It attempts to project an image of strength and security, but it also subtly betrays vulnerabilities within the Roman Empire at the time. It's an intersection of power, fear, and representation. Editor: That gives me a whole new perspective on how to view even the smallest artifacts. Curator: Indeed! Considering its historical context unveils layers of meaning.