Anonymous Follis c. 1050 - 1060

Editor: This is an Anonymous Follis coin from the Harvard Art Museums. It looks quite worn, but I can still make out some details. What symbolic weight does an image like this carry, especially given its age and purpose? Curator: The wear itself is part of the story. Each scratch is a record of exchange, of touch, of the lives that held it. The image, though faded, likely held powerful religious or imperial symbolism. These symbols were meant to project authority, divine favor, and cultural memory across generations. Consider how the act of holding this image connects us to that lineage. Editor: So, it's not just the image itself, but the history it represents? Curator: Precisely. This coin embodies a continuous thread of cultural and economic exchange. What does it mean to hold something that so many others have held before? It changes the way I see currency, that's for sure. Editor: Definitely gives you a new perspective. Thanks for sharing your insights!