Anonymous Follis c. 976 - 1035

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have an intriguing artifact: an anonymous follis. Editor: It looks incredibly worn, yet there's a weightiness to it, both literally and figuratively. Curator: Indeed. These bronze coins, while anonymous, were crucial for understanding Byzantine fiscal policy and iconography. The image is of Jesus. Editor: The choice to mass-produce a religious image for daily transactions is a powerful statement on faith's pervasive role in society, right? Curator: Exactly. It speaks volumes about the intersection of power, belief, and economics in that era. The state's reliance on religious symbolism solidified its legitimacy. Editor: It's fascinating how something so small can open up conversations about such vast historical and social structures. Curator: It makes you wonder about the countless hands this coin passed through and the stories it silently witnessed. Editor: It prompts me to rethink the purpose and effect of money and the economic and social structures. Curator: I concur.