Anonymous Follis c. 1030 - 1042

Editor: This is an Anonymous Follis, held at the Harvard Art Museums. What catches my eye is how worn it looks, yet the images are still discernible. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The coin whispers stories of empire and faith. The figure of Christ, though faded, evokes centuries of Byzantine iconography, laden with symbolism connecting earthly rule to divine authority. Editor: So the coin was more than just currency; it was a portable symbol? Curator: Precisely. Consider how the cross, also present, reinforces this religious legitimacy. These images were carefully chosen, embedded with layers of meaning easily understood by the populace. What do you make of its weathered state? Editor: That its message endured, despite the passage of time and the wear of hands. Curator: Indeed, a potent reminder of cultural memory persisting through visual symbols.