Semissis of Anastasios I c. 498 - 518

Curator: Here we have a Semissis of Anastasios I, a golden coin that probably weighs less than a paperclip, made during his reign. It’s on view at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, it's quite striking! The relief gives it a tangible weight, like a memory you can hold. There's a gravity to something so small representing power. Curator: Precisely. Look closely, and you'll see it's imprinted with the emperor's profile—a potent symbol of authority. Editor: And the depiction of Victory on the reverse—a winged figure holding a wreath and a cross. That's a powerful blend of Roman triumph and Christian symbolism. It speaks volumes about the era's changing cultural landscape. Curator: It's remarkable how an object this size encapsulates the cultural and political narratives of a whole civilization, isn’t it? Editor: Absolutely. One tiny coin, filled with echoes of an empire. You almost expect it to hum with stories if you hold it close enough.