Anonymous Follis c. 1042 - 1050

Editor: This is an Anonymous Follis coin. What strikes me is the weathering and wear; it really speaks to how this object has circulated. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The materiality of this coin is fascinating. Its creation involved resource extraction, specialized labor for die-making and striking, and a system for distribution and consumption. The wear patterns aren't just decay, they're a record of its economic life. Editor: So, its value comes from more than just its face value? Curator: Precisely. Consider how such a seemingly simple object connects to broader economic and social networks. What does it tell us about Byzantine trade and power structures? Editor: That's a very different way to value a work of art! Thanks for enlightening me! Curator: My pleasure. It's all about looking at the physical world to understand society.