Half Follis of Phokas, Carthage 606 - 607

Curator: This is a Half Follis of Phokas, a bronze coin currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The weathered surface and the flattened relief give it the aura of something that's been lost, found, and handled by countless people across centuries. Curator: Issued during the reign of Phokas, who ruled the Byzantine Empire from 602 to 610 AD, the coin offers insights into the economic and political landscape of Carthage during that period. Editor: I find myself wondering about the power dynamics embedded within this small object. Whose face is on it, and who was authorized to mint and distribute it? Curator: The coin's imagery—likely depicting Phokas himself—served as a form of propaganda, reinforcing his authority and projecting an image of imperial power across the Byzantine territories. Editor: It's fascinating how such a tiny object could have been used to broadcast very specific narratives about power, identity, and allegiance within a society. Curator: Studying coins like this one allows us to understand the intersection of art, politics, and economics in the Byzantine era, and how rulers leveraged imagery to maintain control. Editor: Absolutely, reflecting on this Half Follis reminds us that even the smallest artifacts can hold vast implications for our understanding of the past and the narratives we inherit.