Copper Tetarteron of John Komnenos-Doukas of Thessalonike c. 1237 - 1242

Curator: This is a copper tetarteron, a Byzantine coin, issued by John Komnenos-Doukas of Thessalonike. Its rough texture and diminutive scale give it an almost forgotten feel, like a pebble worn smooth by time. Editor: Immediately, the patinated surface speaks of resilience—this object has borne witness to so much history. The symbols are obscured, but their persistence is compelling. Curator: The imagery would have been instantly recognizable: likely a ruler on one side, perhaps a saint or Christ on the other. These coins were not merely currency, but also potent symbols of imperial authority and religious legitimacy. Editor: I’m struck by the tension inherent in a small object bearing such heavy symbolic weight. Who did this coin pass through? How did it reflect and reinforce the social hierarchies of its time? Curator: It speaks to the enduring power of images and how even small artifacts can carry so much cultural memory and meaning, telling us how rulers wished to be seen. Editor: Absolutely. Even in its worn state, this coin serves as a potent reminder of the complex interplay between power, belief, and everyday life.