Aspron Trachy Nomisma of Alexios III, Constantinople 1197 - 1203

Curator: This is an Aspron Trachy Nomisma from Constantinople, bearing the image of Alexios III. Editor: It’s remarkably… eroded. The details are obscured, but the material itself, that worn metal, speaks volumes. Curator: Indeed. Consider the political context. Alexios III's reign was marked by instability, a weakened Byzantine Empire. This coin, circulated during that time, becomes a tangible link to that history. It is a poignant object reflecting an empire in decline. Editor: Absolutely. And the labor involved, the minting process, the sheer volume of these coins produced—each one passed through countless hands, facilitating commerce, taxation, and even oppression. Curator: It prompts questions about power, representation, and the everyday lives of people within the Byzantine Empire. What did this currency signify for different social classes? Editor: A reminder that even small objects can embody vast social and political forces. Curator: Precisely. Let’s reflect on how an object like this coin connects to larger narratives of identity, power, and economic systems. Editor: Illuminating to see the intersection between materiality and its circulation through society.