Anonymous Follis c. 1042 - 1050

Curator: This coin, simply called an Anonymous Follis, carries a weight of 10.07 grams. Editor: Its humble size belies the power it must have held as a symbol of empire and faith. The figure on one side, likely Christ, feels both familiar and distant. Curator: Indeed. The image is meant to invoke the authority of both church and state. We see this fusion often in Byzantine coinage, reflecting the emperor’s role as God's representative on Earth. Editor: So, everyday commerce also served as a constant reminder of these intertwined powers? It’s a fascinating intersection of economics and ideology. The circulation of money equals the circulation of power. Curator: Precisely. Each transaction imprints these symbols into the cultural memory, shaping beliefs and reinforcing social structures with every exchange. Editor: I find myself contemplating the countless hands this small object passed through, each interaction leaving an invisible mark on its surface, like whispers across time.