Anonymous Follis c. 1030 - 1042

Curator: This is an Anonymous Follis housed at the Harvard Art Museums, a coin of unknown origin and date, weighing roughly 12.59 grams. Editor: Oh, it’s deliciously worn! The patinas whisper stories of hands exchanging it, lives depending on it. Curator: Indeed, the material's journey is fascinating. Consider the labor involved in its crafting—mining the metals, striking the design, circulating it as currency. Editor: I see more than money. It feels devotional, almost a miniature icon carried for luck and faith, all those hands touching and believing. A tangible prayer! Curator: Precisely! It represents the intersection of economic transaction and perhaps spiritual life for ordinary people. Editor: It really does feel like something ancient and alive. Thanks for showing me that. Curator: My pleasure. Hopefully it inspires others to consider the stories embedded within everyday objects.