Coin of Phokas c. 603 - 610

Curator: Here we have a Coin of Phokas from the Harvard Art Museums. Look at the patina! Editor: It looks as if it has been through a lot. It evokes a sense of time and turmoil. Curator: Yes, and that color comes from the slow reaction of the coin's metallic components with its environment, a direct physical record of its existence. It is a small item, but has quite a bit of heft. Editor: Exactly! This object connects us to the history of economic structures, imperial power, and social unrest during Phokas's reign, and the legacy of his policies. Curator: I appreciate how the degradation caused by its materiality actually enriches the narrative. Editor: Indeed. An artifact that sparks a deeper consideration of how political systems impact everyday life.