Anonymous Follis c. 976 - 1035

Curator: Here we have an Anonymous Follis, a coin currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks old, obviously, but also kind of powerful, you know? Like it has stories etched into every tiny imperfection. Curator: Absolutely! It’s a fascinating example of numismatic art, stripped of imperial identifiers, focusing instead on Christ. This shift reflects broader societal changes and the evolving power structures of the time. Editor: The material itself speaks of trade, of hands exchanging it, almost a meditation on value, both monetary and symbolic. It’s like holding a piece of history—so heavy with meaning. Curator: Precisely. The craftsmanship, the weight, every detail tells a story of labor, belief, and economy. Editor: I will leave it with a sense of awe for the people who made and used it, for how it connected them to something bigger.