Anonymous Follis c. 976 - 1035

Editor: Here we have an Anonymous Follis from the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating to consider how much cultural weight can be carried by a single coin. What can you tell us about the symbolism at play here? Curator: This follis speaks volumes. Notice the depiction of Christ Pantocrator on one side, a powerful image of divine authority. The reverse is inscribed with text, likely a prayer or invocation. Consider how these symbols – Christ, the written word – would have shaped the daily lives and beliefs of those who used this coin. How does that resonance strike you? Editor: It's amazing to think about the constant reinforcement of those beliefs through something as mundane as currency. Thank you! Curator: Indeed, a potent reminder of how symbols permeate our world, then and now.