Half Follis of Anastasios I c. 498 - 518

Editor: This is a Half Follis of Anastasios I from the Harvard Art Museums. It's incredibly small and worn; the patinated bronze surface is almost like looking into the past. What symbols stand out to you? Curator: Note the emperor’s profile, haloed, and then on the reverse, a large "K." These aren’t arbitrary. What do they evoke for you? Editor: Power and religion, definitely. The "K" seems almost like a brand. Curator: Precisely! It's shorthand, a symbol recognizable across languages and cultures, signifying value and authority. It’s a fascinating snapshot of Byzantine identity. Editor: I see it now; it's more than just money. Curator: Indeed. Every image holds layers of meaning.