Half-Stavraton of John VIII c. 1425 - 1448

Curator: Look at this, a Byzantine "Half-Stavraton of John VIII" at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's humble, almost shy. You can feel the weight of history—and quite literally, I suppose, at 3.16 grams! Curator: Exactly! These coins, minted during John VIII's reign, carry the weight of a fading empire. Do you see the iconography? Editor: Yes, one side shows John VIII. Though worn, the image still conveys authority. The other side shows a cross potent. Curator: That cross is a powerful symbol. It speaks of faith, of course, but also of dominion, a last stand against the Ottoman advance. Editor: These objects are so fascinating because of how they act as time capsules. They speak of power, religion, and the economy, all mashed together in one small piece. Curator: Indeed. Holding this, you're touching not just metal, but the last glimmers of Byzantium.