Half Follis of Phocas 

Editor: This is a Half Follis of Phocas, a coin currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. The wear and tear on the coin are immediately striking. What does its survival tell us about power and representation? Curator: Absolutely. This coin embodies the concept of durable authority. Phocas, an unpopular ruler who usurped the Byzantine throne, used coinage as propaganda. The cross on the reverse, though a symbol of religious power, also highlights the complex relationship between church and state. Editor: So, the coin is more than just currency; it's a statement? Curator: Precisely. It’s a statement of legitimacy, a visual assertion of power amidst political instability. What do you think the long-term impact was? Editor: It's fascinating how a small object can carry such heavy historical weight. I see now how it reflects the Byzantine Empire's struggle with power and religious authority. Curator: Indeed. Studying these objects can unlock deeper understandings of sociopolitical complexities.