Coin of Phokas c. 603 - 610

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this artifact: a bronze coin minted during the reign of Phokas, a Byzantine Emperor. It's quite small, weighing just 2.55 grams. Editor: It has such a worn texture, almost a greenish, rusty patina. You can still make out the Emperor's profile, though. It feels incredibly tactile, like holding a piece of history. Curator: Its materiality tells a story of empire and trade. Think about the labor involved in extracting the ore, smelting the bronze, and striking the coin itself. Each coin served as a form of imperial propaganda and enabled economic exchange, impacting social structures. Editor: And consider its function within the broader Byzantine political landscape. It served as a tangible expression of imperial power, circulating within a society shaped by complex religious and political conflicts. It's also interesting how images of the Emperor were disseminated. Curator: Absolutely, and these coins likely had considerable value, affecting the daily lives of average citizens. Editor: Seeing it here reminds me of the power of museums to preserve and present these objects for us to study. It is humbling.