Anonymous Follis c. 1075 - 1080

Editor: This is an Anonymous Follis from the Harvard Art Museums. Given it's a coin, it’s interesting to consider the labor involved in minting and its use in trade. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: As a materialist, I'm drawn to the coin’s physical presence. Consider the copper, its extraction, the crafting of the die, and the stamping process. How does its existence challenge our traditional notions of art versus craft, or even art versus utility? What kind of consumption did it enable? Editor: It’s interesting to think of a coin as something other than currency. Thanks for your perspective! Curator: Indeed. Focusing on the materials and production processes broadens our understanding.