Anonymous Follis c. 976 - 1035

Curator: This Anonymous Follis from the Harvard Art Museums, weighing just over 14 grams, presents such fascinating insights into Byzantine currency. The materiality speaks to its daily use. Editor: It looks almost worn smooth, yet the images remain legible. You can still make out a central figure on one side. Curator: Yes, it features an image of Christ. The other side bears a Greek inscription identifying him as "King of Kings." We must remember that even mundane objects like coins were deeply embedded in religious and political messaging. Editor: Absolutely. The coin highlights that the Byzantine rulers wanted to convey that their power came from divine authority, and these messages are being circulated among the public. Curator: Considering the coin's small size, it is amazing the level of details it contains, and how well it reflects the interplay of politics, religion, and commerce. Editor: It’s remarkable how this object is a conduit into a complex world.