Anonymous Follis c. 1042 - 1050

Curator: Today, we're looking at an Anonymous Follis at the Harvard Art Museums, a small coin weighing just over 9 grams. Editor: Wow, it looks like it’s been through a lot! It feels like holding a tiny piece of history – a bit worn, a bit mysterious. Curator: Precisely. These coins, though anonymous, served a crucial role in Byzantine society. They represent power structures and religious iconography, subtly shaping public perception. Editor: I see a figure on one side – looks like a halo? The other side has some kind of cross...it makes me wonder about the hands that held it, the stories it could tell. Curator: Its iconography helped reinforce the Emperor's legitimacy and promoted Christian ideology, influencing daily life through trade and exchange. Editor: It's amazing how something so small could carry so much weight, culturally and politically. Thanks for shedding light on this little treasure! Curator: Indeed, a seemingly insignificant object revealing profound layers of history and meaning.