Coin 

Curator: This unassuming bronze coin, a piece issued by the Byzantine Empire, weighs just under 10 grams and resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's remarkable how tactile it appears, even in a photograph. The uneven patination and worn edges whisper of countless transactions and journeys. Curator: Indeed. These coins were the lifeblood of the Byzantine economy, facilitating trade and demonstrating imperial power. Their imagery was carefully controlled. Editor: I'm struck by the abstraction. The figures are reduced to almost pure form. It invites a contemplation of the material itself, the weight and texture. Curator: Exactly, their value lies not merely in the metal, but in their representation of the Emperor's authority and the stability of the empire. Editor: Even in its worn state, it provides insight into the aesthetic values that shaped daily interactions in the Byzantine world. Curator: Precisely! It’s a fascinating glimpse into their culture and socio-economic structures. Editor: A small object, but a powerful testament to the era's artistic and practical considerations.