Coin of Nikephoros III c. 1078 - 1081

Curator: Here we have a "Coin of Nikephoros III," attributed to Nikephoros III himself, residing at the Harvard Art Museums and weighing only 3.96 grams. Editor: It's remarkable how something so small can feel monumental. There's a stark, austere quality to its worn surface. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the material constraints and the labor involved in minting these coins, each a carefully produced object circulating through Byzantine society. Editor: And what a powerful statement of authority, isn't it? Imagine the coin's journey, passing through countless hands, each transaction reinforcing the emperor's image and power. Curator: Indeed, the coin acted as a tool of political propaganda. The iconography served as constant reminder of imperial authority and divine sanction. Editor: It’s intriguing to ponder the social role of currency, not just as a medium for exchange, but as a carrier of symbolic weight. Curator: Exactly! We get to touch the past, consider economics and societal control all in one small metallic disc. Editor: It really highlights how objects, even seemingly mundane ones, can offer rich insights into history and the lives of people long gone.