Coin of Michael IV c. 1034 - 1041

Curator: This is a gold coin issued during the reign of Michael IV, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It's a fascinating glimpse into Byzantine artistry. Editor: Immediately I think: weight, value, power. A tiny sun, pressed into metal. I wonder who held it last, you know? What were they buying? Curator: The formal elements are striking. Note the relief, the density of symbols—Christ on one side, Michael IV on the other, each rigidly framed by text. Editor: The texture is so rich, you can almost feel the weight of history, literally. I love the idea of such potent imagery circulating in everyday life. Curator: Indeed, the coin serves as a potent example of the interpenetration of the sacred and the secular in Byzantium. Editor: Makes you wonder about the stories that single coin could tell. Curator: A compelling point, it’s quite an achievement, really. Editor: Absolutely! Makes you think, right?