Anonymous Follis c. 1042 - 1050

Editor: Here we have an Anonymous Follis, a humble bronze coin residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's small and worn, but I find it quite evocative. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a material artifact of economic and social systems. Consider the labor involved in mining the metal, crafting the die, and minting the coin. Editor: So, it's more than just its face value? Curator: Precisely. Who controlled the resources? How were they distributed? Even its wear and tear tell a story of circulation and use. This piece represents a web of human activity. Editor: That definitely makes me appreciate it in a different way! Curator: Exactly, examining the coin through its materiality connects us to the labor and economy of its time.