Follis of Tiberius II, Nicomedia 579 - 580

Curator: Here we have a Follis of Tiberius II, Nicomedia, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a certain stark beauty, doesn't it? The patina of age gives it an almost otherworldly feel. Curator: Absolutely. The coin would have been struck during his reign and embodies imperial authority through its iconography. Look closely at the crowned helmet and shield. Editor: And on the reverse, the bold 'M' dominates. It's interesting how the form itself communicates value and stability, even abstracted like this. The cross above suggests something more. Curator: Indeed, the cross signifies the intersection of imperial power and divine sanction. The mint mark 'NIKO' below points to its origin in Nicomedia, a vital center in the Byzantine world. Editor: The coin's wear also narrates a story of commerce and human interaction across centuries. It is a tangible link to a distant past. Curator: Yes, it is a conduit to a world that has long vanished. Reflecting on this, I am struck by how such a small object could carry so much meaning. Editor: For me, its beauty lies precisely in its austere simplicity and its capacity to signify beyond its material worth.