Anonymous Follis c. 1075 - 1080

Editor: Here we have an Anonymous Follis from Harvard Art Museums. Looking at its weathered surface, I wonder about the hands it has passed through. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It whispers tales, doesn't it? This isn't just metal; it's a shard of faith, power, and daily bread. Imagine the artisan, a face now lost to time, meticulously imprinting beliefs and commerce onto a humble disc. It's a tangible connection to a world both familiar and utterly distant. Editor: So, it's more than just currency; it's a symbol? Curator: Precisely! Currency was their social media. Each symbol carefully chosen to impart a message. What stories do you think it could tell? Editor: Well, I never thought of money that way before! Fascinating.