Half Follis of Anastasios I c. 498 - 518

Editor: Here we have a "Half Follis of Anastasios I," dating back to who-knows-when, by Anastasios himself, residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It's a humble coin, really. But what stories do you think it whispers? Curator: Ah, yes, this little bronze disc. For me, it’s a portal. Anastasios, a ruler of Byzantium. Imagine the hands it passed through, the taxes paid, the loaves of bread bought. Isn't it lovely to think of its journey? What do you see? Editor: I see the wear and tear, that tangible connection to history. It makes you wonder about the empire's everyday life. What do you think Anastasios wanted to convey? Curator: Power, of course! But also stability. Note the stern profile, the inscription. It’s a statement: "I am here, I am in charge." Like a tiny, copper declaration! Does that resonate? Editor: It does, that declaration, even through the coin's modest existence. Curator: Absolutely! Every object, big or small, holds a piece of the past. It’s a matter of listening.