Tetarteron of Alexios III c. 14th century

Curator: Here we have a Tetarteron, a Byzantine coin, attributed to Alexios III. Notice its small scale and the patina of age. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the contrast between the dark metal and the bright green oxidation. The textures create such a compelling visual tension. Curator: Indeed. These coins, like miniature billboards, were crucial for projecting imperial power and religious legitimacy. Editor: Semiotically speaking, the figures on the coin are highly stylized. Their frontal poses and rigid forms seem intended to project authority. Curator: Precisely. The imagery, intentionally designed, conveyed the emperor's divine right to rule and the blessings associated with his reign. The weight itself speaks to its worth. Editor: Looking more closely, the coin almost feels sculptural, the way the forms emerge from the surface. Curator: It truly invites contemplation of the enduring nature of symbols and power. Editor: Yes, and how formal composition can reinforce those intended meanings.