Copper Half Tetarteron of John Komnenos-Doukas of Thessalonike c. 1237 - 1242

Editor: Here we have a Copper Half Tetarteron of John Komnenos-Doukas of Thessalonike at the Harvard Art Museums. It's amazing how much history is embedded in this small, worn coin. What can you tell us about it? Curator: This coin, beyond its monetary value, represents the material reality of power. The copper itself, its mining and minting, speaks to the economic systems sustaining John Komnenos-Doukas' rule. The wear and tear also tell of its circulation, its use in everyday transactions. Editor: So, you see the coin as more than just currency? Curator: Precisely. It's a tangible artifact reflecting labor, trade, and the material conditions of its time. The very act of its creation and use challenges our typical understanding of art being separated from craft or the everyday. Editor: That's a great way to look at it. Thanks for the insight!