One-Eighth Stavraton of John VII 1390

Curator: I'm immediately struck by the wear and tear, the sheer physicality of this tiny coin. Editor: Indeed! This is a One-Eighth Stavraton of John VII, a minuscule silver coin weighing less than a gram. It speaks volumes about power, doesn't it? The symbolic weight of currency, even in such a humble form, representing an emperor's authority. Curator: Absolutely. The imagery, though faint, hints at the divine right to rule. The cross, the inscriptions… each element carefully placed to reinforce John VII's legitimacy. The scale also fascinates me. What does it mean that the symbol of power is so small? Editor: It's a direct link to the material reality of Byzantine society, made using the technology available, revealing layers of economic and social history. This coin circulated, was touched by countless hands, and was likely a vital piece in everyday transactions. It's an artifact connecting the grand narratives of empire to the minute details of ordinary lives. Curator: Looking at the symbology and material history, I keep thinking about the flow of power—both spiritual and temporal—concentrated into this miniature object. Editor: I agree. It's a profound object lesson in how power is materialized, circulated, and ultimately, subject to the ravages of time and human use.