Trachy of Michael VIII c. 13th century

Curator: This is a "Trachy of Michael VIII," attributed to Michael VIII himself, presently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My immediate impression is one of weight—both literal, at 1.74 grams, and symbolic. It feels like a physical embodiment of history. Curator: Indeed. Note the intentional flattening and the irregular shape. The distorted flan results in a unique image each time, emphasizing the process of striking more than any ideal form. Editor: I'm drawn to the figures depicted. One side seems to show a ruler or saint, and the other, perhaps a religious icon. It clearly represents the power and authority vested in the Byzantine Emperor. Curator: Precisely. The composition and the very materiality of the coin underscore the instability of value, both economic and aesthetic. The images, while present, are heavily degraded. Editor: But even in their eroded state, those figures speak volumes about the cultural and religious landscape of the Byzantine Empire. It's a potent reminder of faded empires and the icons they revered. Curator: Quite so. It is a small artifact that offers endless potential for deconstruction and reinterpretation. Editor: Absolutely. It's a coin, but also a tangible link to the past, laden with symbolic and historic meaning.