Solidus of Phokas c. 607 - 610

Editor: Here we have a Solidus of Phokas, a gold coin weighing just over 4 grams. It's amazing to think of the power this little object once held. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about the intersection of power, identity, and divine right in the Byzantine Empire. Phokas, a relatively obscure figure who rose to power through military revolt, uses this image to legitimize his rule. Editor: So the images are doing a lot of work? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the deliberate symbolism: the cross on his crown, the depiction of Christ on the reverse. These aren't just aesthetic choices; they're carefully constructed statements designed to align Phokas with both earthly authority and divine favor. What does that alignment suggest to you? Editor: It’s an attempt to show that he’s divinely appointed, despite his questionable rise to power. I never thought a coin could be so complex! Curator: Indeed. It reminds us to question whose stories are told and how they are presented.