Aspron Trachy of Andronicos I, Constantinople c. 1183 - 1185

Curator: What strikes me about this coin, the Aspron Trachy of Andronikos I, is its rough, almost crude form. The silver looks hastily worked. Editor: Indeed, the lack of precise delineation in the figures creates an immediate sense of urgency and perhaps instability, formally mirroring the turbulence of Andronikos’ reign. Curator: Exactly. Andronikos, though of noble lineage, seized power through popular revolt, presenting himself as the champion of the common people against the aristocracy. This coin, with its imagery of Christ and, on the other side, Andronikos himself, was a key tool to cement his authority. Editor: The flattened, almost two-dimensional rendering of the figures emphasizes their symbolic presence over any realistic depiction. Look at the lines of their garments; they denote form rather than describe it. Curator: It’s a fascinating object—a small piece of metal that speaks volumes about power, legitimacy, and the volatile politics of the late Byzantine Empire. Editor: It prompts us to consider the visual language of authority when realism is sacrificed for the sake of immediate impact.