Hyperperon of John III, Nikaia c. 1232 - 1254

Curator: This is a Hyperperon of John III, crafted in Nikaia. It's currently held in the Harvard Art Museums, weighing only 4.38 grams. Editor: At first glance, the gold gives it an immediate sense of wealth and power. The figures seem flattened, almost pressed into the metal. Curator: As a unit of currency, this coin was undoubtedly a powerful tool for trade and political influence. These images served as propaganda, broadcasting the emperor’s authority. Editor: Absolutely. The depictions of John III with religious figures speak to his attempts to legitimize his rule and connect it with divine approval. I wonder how the everyday person viewed these representations? Curator: The average person likely rarely handled such a coin, but the imagery would have been familiar through other forms of Byzantine art. Editor: Still, it’s a potent reminder of the intricate ways in which wealth, power, and belief systems were intertwined. Curator: Indeed, a tiny object with a monumental story to tell about Byzantium. Editor: A fascinating glimpse into a complex historical moment.