Coin of Phokas c. 602 - 610

Curator: Here we have a "Coin of Phokas," likely from the early 7th century CE. It weighs about 10.5 grams. Editor: It looks incredibly weathered; you can sense the weight of history pressing down on it. Curator: Indeed. As currency, the coin embodies power and legitimacy. Notice the deliberate markings. Editor: The imagery feels almost…oppressive. Considering Phokas's brutal rise to power, this object speaks to the violence and instability of the era. Curator: Coins often carried propagandistic imagery, reinforcing the ruler's authority through symbolism. Editor: Right, who controlled the purse strings controlled the narrative. It makes you wonder about the lived realities of those who used it daily. Curator: It's a potent reminder of how even mundane objects can be charged with complex meanings. Editor: A small object with a huge story, still capable of sparking questions about power and representation across centuries.