Tremissis of Leo III, uncertain mint c. 720 - 741

Curator: Before us is a Tremissis of Leo III, a gold coin weighing just over a gram. Its mint is uncertain, but Leo III was an important Byzantine Emperor. Editor: Its diminutive scale belies the imposing nature of the subject. The texture is wonderfully rough, and the golden hue gives it a sense of inherent value. Curator: These coins were part of a broader symbolic language, asserting the emperor’s authority and divine right at a time of great social and political upheaval in the Byzantine Empire. Editor: Note the simplified, almost abstract, rendering of the Emperor's face. The emphasis on geometric forms suggests an interest in conveying power through symbolic representation. Curator: Indeed. This coin reminds us that even small objects can carry immense weight in shaping perceptions of power and identity. Editor: It’s a fascinating study in miniaturization and symbolic form. I'm struck by how immediate its impact remains, despite its age.