One-Eighth Stavraton of Manuel II c. 1391 - 1425

Curator: Today we're looking at a One-Eighth Stavraton, a silver coin, designed by Manuel II. It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's remarkable how much symbolic weight this tiny, worn object carries. There is a visual bleakness to it, which is hard to ignore. Curator: Note the intentional design. Observe the careful arrangement of inscriptions surrounding the central figure, which create a visually balanced composition. Editor: But what does it mean to circulate an image of power in times of economic precarity? Who did it serve, and who was excluded? Curator: One might consider the way the engraver uses line and form to create the desired effect of majesty and authority, within such a minimal space. Editor: I wonder about its impact on the daily lives of ordinary people—did it foster a sense of shared identity, or reinforce existing power structures? Curator: Certainly, this coin serves as a reminder of the artistry found even in utilitarian objects. Editor: And for me, it's a tangible link to a complex history of power, representation, and everyday life.