Large Follis of Anastasios I, Constantinople c. 498 - 518

Editor: Here we have a Large Follis, a coin, made by Anastasios I. It's currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by its worn texture and the low relief details. What do you see in this piece from a formal perspective? Curator: Its circular form is paramount, of course, a concentrated field for the interplay of symbolic representation. The degradation of the metal’s surface creates an almost palimpsestic effect, obscuring the original clarity of the imperial portrait and numerical denomination. Editor: So, the wear and tear actually adds to its artistic value? Curator: Precisely. The visible erosion functions as a textural counterpoint, highlighting the tension between the intended image and its current state, which invites contemplation on the nature of time and value. Editor: That's a fascinating way to consider it. I'll definitely think about that next time I see an artifact.