Clipped Silver Asper of Alexios II of Trebizond (1297-1330) 1297 - 1330

Editor: Here we have a Clipped Silver Asper of Alexios II of Trebizond, dating back to between 1297 and 1330. It's small, damaged, but still has a certain weight to it, literally and figuratively. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: Well, the clipping is quite telling, isn't it? It speaks to the economic realities and anxieties of the time. Currency was often debased by clipping, reducing its silver content. What does that suggest about the socio-political stability of Trebizond during Alexios II's reign? Editor: So, the coin's condition reflects wider instability? It's like a miniature portrait of a kingdom struggling to hold its value? Curator: Precisely. And consider the role of coinage itself. It's not just money; it's propaganda, a symbol of power and legitimacy projected onto the population. This asper, even clipped, was a tool of governance. Editor: I never thought about a coin telling so much about the world around it. Curator: History is embedded in the everyday objects.