Copper Follis of Roger of Antioch c. 1112 - 1119

Curator: Here we have a Copper Follis of Roger of Antioch, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, there’s something about the worn texture that just speaks of history—I can almost feel the weight of centuries in my hand. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this, though small, acted as powerful symbols. The imagery and inscriptions served as constant reminders of authority and faith. Think of the cultural weight packed into 2.46 grams. Editor: Absolutely, the etching of a ruler’s face—or symbols representing their power—would be a common signal. A fascinating study of how symbols shape reality and, in turn, are shaped by it. I wonder what exchanges it witnessed? Curator: It's a fragment that connects us to the past. Editor: Precisely, and that’s why I find it so deeply affecting.