Anonymous Follis c. 1075 - 1080

Curator: This is an Anonymous Follis. We don't know the exact date of its creation, or even the artist, but it is held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is one of resilience and age. You can see the wear and tear, yet the images remain legible. It feels quite weighty, too. Curator: These Byzantine coins served a crucial role. They weren't just currency; they were powerful tools for political and religious messaging. Editor: Absolutely. Think about the images: Christ on one side, a cross on the other. They speak volumes about the power structures and belief systems. What do they tell us about marginalized communities? Curator: That’s a critical question. These coins circulated through all levels of society, influencing perceptions and reinforcing the dominant narrative. Editor: It reminds us how art, even in the form of everyday objects, can shape our understanding of identity and power. Curator: Indeed. It makes you think about how we can engage with these objects to challenge those narratives. Editor: It leaves me contemplating how such a small object held so much influence and what influence objects today have. Curator: It's certainly a testament to the enduring power of symbols and their impact throughout history.