Coin of Phokas c. 607 - 610

Curator: Let's look at this "Coin of Phokas", a Byzantine artifact now residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Its golden surface is worn smooth in places. Editor: It's powerfully symbolic, isn't it? The emperor's image meant so much, representing legitimacy and divine sanction. The figure on the other side seems to be a representation of Christ. Curator: Exactly. And consider the material. Gold signified wealth and power, but also served as a tangible means of economic exchange and empire control. Editor: And gold's incorruptibility, its perceived purity, would've reinforced Phokas's claim to righteous rule, whether deserved or not. The symbols are so deliberate. Curator: Indeed, a potent blend of material authority and symbolic weight, offering insights into the values of Byzantine society. Editor: Absolutely. Reflecting on the imagery and cultural importance makes it an important piece.