Anonymous Follis c. 976 - 1035

Editor: This is an Anonymous Follis, its date is unknown, and it's held at the Harvard Art Museums. The green patina over the bronze makes it feel incredibly old. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Considering its nature as currency, it embodies labor and consumption. The debasement of the metal itself, the wear and tear, speaks to the socioeconomic conditions of its use. What does the anonymity suggest about its production and value? Editor: Perhaps a sign of mass production, diminishing the importance of the individual artisan? What was it like to own or trade with one of these? Curator: Exactly! Think about who controlled the mines, the workshops, and ultimately, profited from its circulation. It's more than just an object; it's a material record of power dynamics. Editor: That's fascinating. Seeing it this way really shifts my perspective. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, looking at materiality reveals so much about the past.