Anonymous Follis c. 1030 - 1042

Curator: Here we have an Anonymous Follis, a fascinating artifact housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. What's your take? Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by its texture – a sort of comforting roughness that time and touch have etched into the metal. It feels both ancient and utterly present. Curator: Indeed! This coin, of unknown date and maker, is a small window into a distant world of trade and faith. You can see what seems to be a depiction of Christ on one side and a cross potent on the other. Editor: The cross, yes, it dominates – rigidly symmetrical, but softened by that patina. It makes me wonder about the hands that held it, the transactions it facilitated, the stories it could tell. Curator: Its anonymity, I think, adds to its power. It represents not one person, but a collective belief system, a culture. It's a tangible connection to our shared past. Editor: A humble object, elevated by time and the echoes of human experience. It invites a sort of quiet reflection, doesn't it? Curator: It does. And, perhaps, reminds us of the value hidden in the everyday. Editor: I like that. A lovely little meditation, that's what it is.