Copper Follis or Tornese of John VII 1390

Curator: So here we have a Copper Follis, or Tornese, of John VII. It's amazing to think about the journey this small object has taken through history. Editor: It's incredible, isn't it? Looking at it now, I'm struck by its small size and the rather worn details. How do you interpret this piece in terms of its historical context? Curator: Well, consider the power structures at play when this coin was minted. Who was John VII, and what did this imagery communicate to the people living under his rule? Coins like this weren't just currency; they were propaganda, miniature billboards that reinforced the ruler's legitimacy, connecting to religious and political ideologies of the time. Editor: So the cross and the portrait served as symbols of power and authority. Curator: Precisely. This coin represents a nexus of faith, governance, and everyday life. What can we learn about gender, race and class through the symbols displayed? Editor: That's fascinating. I never thought about a coin holding so much intersectional history. Curator: It's a tangible link to the past, inviting us to question and understand the dynamics of power and representation. Editor: I'll definitely look at coins differently now. Thanks for shedding light on that!