follis of Constaintine VII 

Curator: Before us is a follis of Constantine VII, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums, and weighing a mere 6.42 grams. Editor: It's incredible, really. The weight of an empire, quite literally, rests in the palm of your hand! The surfaces are worn, but the power of the imagery is undeniable. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the copper alloy itself, the very material that facilitated commerce and solidified power structures in the Byzantine Empire. Each coin was a product of intense labor. Editor: Yes, and look closer. The effigy of Constantine, the cross, these weren't just stamped on. They were potent symbols, conveying legitimacy, divine right, communicating directly to the populace. Curator: I agree, and to think of the distribution chain, the miners extracting the ore, the artisans crafting the dies, the networks of trade... Editor: Precisely! This single object whispers stories about economics and belief, authority and artistry. Fascinating. Curator: It does offer a lens into a world that feels simultaneously distant and very much connected to our own. Editor: Indeed. A tangible connection.