Coin of John II c. 12th century

Curator: This is a coin of John II, located in the Harvard Art Museums, weighing in at 4.42 grams of gold. Editor: It strikes me as a relic of authority, almost aggressively so with its pronounced relief. Curator: Precisely. Consider the material realities: gold, a precious commodity transformed through mining, trade, and the labor of crafting the die and striking the coin. Each step embodies power and control. Editor: And the imagery! The cross, the imperial figure, the Virgin Mary—each loaded with symbolic weight, reinforcing dynastic legitimacy and divine favor. It’s a carefully constructed visual narrative of Byzantine power. Curator: The wear and tear also speak volumes; this coin wasn’t merely for display, it circulated, it facilitated transactions, a testament to its active role in the economy. Editor: A pocket-sized assertion of the Emperor's enduring legacy. These symbols transcended mere currency; they spoke to something greater. Curator: Indeed, a material object infused with symbolic significance. Editor: A potent blend of power and faith, rendered in precious metal.