Coin of Phokas c. 603 - 604

Curator: Here we have a coin, a rather humble object, actually. This particular one is called “Coin of Phokas.” Editor: It’s very small, almost easy to miss. And it has a dark, weathered look, which gives it a certain somber mood. Curator: Indeed. Phokas, whose image is pressed onto this copper alloy, ruled the Byzantine Empire briefly in the early 7th century. Notice the iconography, though—the cross he holds, the imperial robes. Editor: He’s presenting himself as a divine, chosen ruler, but it’s interesting to think about how power is negotiated and solidified through these objects, which were used in everyday transactions. Currency is propaganda! Curator: Of course. And it reveals so much about Byzantine ideology. The iconography reflects the empire’s intertwined relationship between church and state. Editor: Looking at this coin now, I’m reminded how even mundane objects can be powerful symbols and reflect grand narratives of their time. Curator: Yes, objects like this small coin echo through time, carrying the weight of empires and the quiet symbols of belief.