Copper Follis or Tornese of John VII 1390

Curator: This, everyone, is a Copper Follis, or Tornese, of John VII. A tiny thing, really—less than a gram. Editor: It feels ancient, doesn't it? Sort of grubby, like something pulled from the earth after centuries of secrets. Curator: It’s been resting in the Harvard Art Museums. Coins like this are more than just currency. They tell us about the economy, the iconography, and the reach of power during John VII’s reign. Editor: I like how worn it is. It’s like holding a tiny piece of history, worn smooth by countless transactions, whispering stories of daily life. Curator: Exactly. Each mark, each imperfection, reveals something. It connects us to the past in a tangible way. Editor: It makes you wonder, doesn't it, about the hands it passed through? What did they buy with it? What were their dreams? Curator: Indeed. It's a small object with an outsized story. Editor: It’s like a poem pressed into metal.