Anonymous Follis c. 1030 - 1042

Curator: This is an Anonymous Follis, a fascinating coin, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. The anonymity itself speaks volumes. Editor: It feels weighty, literally and figuratively. The worn texture and dark patina suggest a history of exchange, of countless hands. Curator: Absolutely. These coins served as a visual language, shaping societal norms, power dynamics, and religious beliefs. The imagery, though simple, reinforces Christian iconography and imperial authority. Editor: Note the cross—a dominant symbol—and the stylized figures that likely represent imperial rulers. Consider how it was used as propaganda, a subtle everyday reinforcement of ideology. Curator: It’s a powerful reflection on the intersection of economics, belief systems, and imperial control. Editor: Truly, a humble object that echoes through the ages.