Anonymous Follis c. 1030 - 1042

Editor: This is an Anonymous Follis, and what strikes me is the wear and texture of the metal. What design elements stand out to you? Curator: The coin's circular form is integral, acting as a contained field for the obverse's figural representation and the reverse's symbolic configuration. Note the intentional disruption of the field by the cross. How does the cross resonate? Editor: It seems like the most important part of the design. It's so much larger than the figures underneath. Curator: Indeed. Its size and central placement dictate a hierarchical reading of the design, imbuing it with ideological significance, overriding the human representation beneath. Editor: I hadn't considered how the size of the cross impacts the meaning. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: A close look at the design elements always reveals deeper considerations.