Coin of Phokas c. 602 - 603

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this intriguing artifact: a coin of Phokas, weighing in at just over 10 grams, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. The materiality speaks volumes – a humble bronze, stamped with power. Editor: The weight makes it so tactile, like a concentrated piece of history one could hold. And the imagery...it feels so immediate, even rudimentary. I wonder about who handled this object and in what context? Curator: Precisely! Consider the process - the minting, the distribution. This wasn't just currency; it was propaganda. Phokas, a somewhat controversial Byzantine emperor, used these coins to legitimize his reign. Editor: The act of circulation is interesting. These coins reached diverse populations; it makes one think about identity and power dynamics. How did people interpret these symbols, especially those disenfranchised by Phokas? Curator: It's a tangible representation of power structures, manufactured and circulated to cement social order. The medium IS the message. Editor: Yes, this little coin opens up so many conversations about the complexities of power, religion, and everyday life in the Byzantine Empire. Curator: Indeed. A coin, yes, but also a microcosm of an era. Editor: Exactly, a tiny object that speaks volumes.