Coin of Manuel I c. 12th century

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this artifact: a coin attributed to Manuel I. Looking at it, I'm struck by how weathered and aged it appears. Editor: Yes, it evokes a history of trade and power. The wear tells a story of circulation, of the hands that held it and the transactions it facilitated. What can you tell me about Manuel I's reign and the cultural context of this coin? Curator: Manuel I Komnenos was a 12th-century Byzantine Emperor. This coin represents his authority and identity, connecting the imperial image with the everyday economic life of the empire. It speaks volumes about his leadership. Editor: And consider the materiality, the base metal, the method of striking. This wasn't about pristine beauty but functionality and control over resources, a concrete expression of imperial power forged in metal. Curator: Absolutely. It reminds us that even seemingly mundane objects carry complex histories of power, identity, and social relations. Editor: Precisely. It grounds abstract historical narratives in tangible forms.