Coin of Phokas c. 602 - 603

Editor: Here we have the Coin of Phokas, from Harvard Art Museums. It's a small, dense object. Given the context of the period, what does this coin tell us about the culture that produced it? Curator: The coin’s weight and metallic composition reflect the economic stability, or lack thereof, during Phokas’ reign. The images, seemingly stamped, demonstrate the standardization of iconography for wide distribution. The very act of producing these coins, and their subsequent circulation, illustrates a complex system of labor and trade. How does this compare to modern currency production? Editor: That's a great point. I hadn't considered the labor aspect. It provides such a different lens for understanding value. Curator: Exactly. Considering the coin as an object produced, circulated, and ultimately consumed, reveals a lot about the society from which it originated.