Anonymous Follis c. 1075 - 1080

Editor: Here we have an Anonymous Follis from the Harvard Art Museums. I find the worn details fascinating, especially the face on one side. What do you see in this little piece of history? Curator: Oh, it's a whisper from the past, isn't it? These anonymous coins were the workhorses of Byzantine currency. Look at the cross on the reverse – it speaks volumes about the empire's religious identity, doesn't it? It's a humble object, but like a forgotten poem, it still sings. Editor: It's amazing to think about all the hands this coin must have passed through. Thanks for sharing your perspective! Curator: And thank you for making me see it anew!