Half-Stavraton of Manuel II c. 1391 - 1425

Curator: Today we're examining a Half-Stavraton, a coin crafted under the authority of Manuel II. Editor: It looks worn, doesn't it? But the imagery still carries a certain power, a sense of faded grandeur. Curator: Indeed. This coin, residing at the Harvard Art Museums, offers insights into the economic and political landscape of its time. Currency, after all, shaped power. Editor: The figures are so stylized, almost geometric. You can make out a halo on one side. I wonder what these icons meant to the people using it. Curator: Coins like these were not just about monetary value; they were tools of imperial projection, visual reminders of the Emperor’s authority circulated amongst the people. Editor: So, in essence, each transaction was a subtle reinforcement of the Emperor's image and rule. I see this coin as holding a narrative far beyond its size. Curator: Exactly. It highlights how everyday objects become carriers of potent symbolic and political meaning. Editor: It's a fascinating glimpse into how symbols shape and maintain power structures. Curator: It really is. It makes you wonder what future archaeologists will make of our own currency.