Follis of Constantine X, Constantinople 1059 - 1067

Curator: Here we have a Follis of Constantine X, a coin made in Constantinople, currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Well, first impression? It feels incredibly weighty, even though it’s physically small. History is so tangible sometimes, isn't it? Curator: Absolutely. As currency, this coin wasn't just a medium of exchange, it was a statement of imperial power, carrying the ruler’s image and thus reinforcing his authority throughout the Byzantine empire. Editor: Yes, it is like a tiny, well-traveled ambassador—and the fact that this one survived so long makes you wonder about all the hands it passed through. Curator: Indeed. Examining the iconography gives insights into the ruler's self-perception and political messaging. Editor: It’s powerful to think how something so tiny held so much… weight. Curator: Indeed, it is a reminder of art's function in the construction of power and social order.