Anonymous Follis c. 1030 - 1042

Editor: This is an Anonymous Follis from the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a weathered coin and I find the worn texture intriguing. What can you tell me about its artistic merit? Curator: Note the deliberate circular form, bisected by implied lines creating quadrants, each filled with meticulously inscribed, albeit worn, text. Do you see how the central cross acts as both a structural and symbolic nexus? Editor: Yes, the cross anchors the entire composition. It's impressive that such a small object can convey so much balance. Curator: Precisely. The manipulation of form, the strategic division of space, and the calligraphic elements coalesce into a powerful visual statement, irrespective of its original function or context. Editor: I see it now; it's not just currency, it's a study in form and symbolic language. Thanks!