Coin of Manuel I c. 12th century

Curator: Here we have a coin of Manuel I, held in the Harvard Art Museums, weighing just 3.41 grams. Editor: It's remarkable how much detail they managed to capture on such a small surface! It feels both delicate and powerful. Curator: Coins like this weren't just currency; they were tools of imperial propaganda. Manuel I's image, circulated widely, projected Byzantine power and legitimacy. Editor: The choice of materials, most likely bronze, speaks to accessibility—currency for the masses, but also susceptible to wear, becoming a material record of its own circulation. Curator: Exactly! Think about how images, institutions, and power intersect. These coins tell tales of economic policies, social hierarchies, and even artistic exchange. Editor: It’s fascinating to consider how the act of physically handling this coin connected people to the emperor, and how worn it looks due to that fact. Curator: A tangible link to a bygone era. Editor: Definitely gives you pause to think about value, power, and legacy.