Trachy of Michael VIII c. 13th century

Curator: Well, this little thing may not look like much at first glance, but it’s actually a copper Trachy of Michael VIII, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It looks like a relic, a time capsule. The material itself, that worn copper, it makes me think of hands exchanging it, stories it could tell. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like this weren't just money; they were propaganda. Michael VIII, you see, had just restored the Byzantine Empire. This was him solidifying his image. Editor: So, each transaction, each clink of the coin, reinforces the image of the ruler and his power. Amazing how such a small object could carry so much weight. Curator: And the imagery isn’t accidental. Note the figures represented. This wasn't about abstract power; it was about divine right. Editor: There’s something vulnerable about it too, being so small and fragile. A reminder that even empires crumble. Curator: Indeed, it brings to mind the transient nature of power, doesn't it? A potent reminder contained within a humble coin. Editor: And in that vulnerability, there's a beauty too. The beauty of something that has endured, albeit in a worn state.