Coin of Phokas c. 607 - 608

Editor: Here we have the "Coin of Phokas," created by Phokas himself. It is small, worn and made of metal. What strikes me is how something so small can represent immense power. What do you see when you look at this coin? Curator: I see a potent symbol of imperial authority, fraught with the complexities of its time. Phokas, an emperor who seized power through violent revolt. A coin, therefore, becomes more than currency. It’s propaganda, projecting an image of legitimacy and control in a society grappling with upheaval. Consider the message it sends, and who it excludes. Editor: So it is a tool for constructing identity and power? Curator: Exactly. The coin’s imagery, likely portraying Phokas himself, reinforces a specific, likely idealized, version of leadership. What does it tell us about who had power, and whose stories were erased? Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure.