Anonymous Follis c. 976 - 1035

Curator: Here we have an intriguing artifact—an Anonymous Follis, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a copper coin, its origins and specific date shrouded in mystery. Editor: The worn surface tells a story of time. I see a circular form with a raised portrait on one side, almost like an icon, very powerful despite the small scale. Curator: Exactly. These coins represent a fascinating shift in Byzantine iconography. Before, emperors were typically depicted; here, we see an image of Christ, solidifying the Church's power in the political sphere. Editor: The choice of inscription too, with the repeated "Jesus Christ, King of Kings" in Greek, it anchors the coin's formal simplicity to its core purpose: proclamation. Curator: And circulating these images throughout the empire broadcasted both spiritual and imperial authority. Editor: It's quite remarkable how this little piece of metal could carry so much symbolic weight and socio-political implication. Curator: Indeed, this coin offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between religion, power, and everyday life in the Byzantine world. Editor: A tiny object holding huge implications for art history.