Large Follis of Anastasios I, Constantinople c. 498 - 518

Curator: This is a Large Follis of Anastasios I from Constantinople, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Anastasios I, of course, was the Eastern Roman Emperor from 491 to 518 AD. Editor: Well, if this coin could talk! It looks like a relic, whispering tales of empires faded and transactions long past. There’s such a weight to it. Curator: Indeed. The weight, 15.1 grams, is significant, literally reflecting the economic reforms Anastasios I implemented. This coin, a large denomination, aimed to stabilize the economy. Editor: Oh, I see. It’s more than just currency; it’s propaganda. That stern portrait, the deliberate weight, screams stability, doesn’t it? Curator: Precisely. Coins were powerful tools for projecting imperial power and conveying political messages to a wide audience. Editor: It's almost humbling, isn’t it? To think of the world shifting because of small acts like minting coins. Curator: That’s the beauty of historical objects; they remind us that even the smallest things can have enormous consequences. Editor: Definitely gives you pause, doesn't it? Like what small action *we* take will have such big ripples in the future?