Anonymous Follis c. 976 - 1035

Editor: This is an anonymous Follis coin from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small, unassuming object, but I'm struck by how much history it holds in its worn surface. What stories do you think its imagery tells? Curator: The images, even worn, speak volumes. On one side, we see an image of Christ, a powerful symbol of faith and authority. The other bears inscriptions, likely invoking divine blessing. Consider how this iconography reinforces both religious and political power. Editor: So, the coin is not just currency, but also a form of propaganda? Curator: Precisely. Every image, every inscription, served to reinforce the legitimacy of the ruler and the dominance of the prevailing belief system. How do you think that visual language resonated with the people who used this coin daily? Editor: It's amazing to think about how much meaning could be packed into something so small. I’ll never look at a coin the same way again.