Half-tetarteron of Andronicos I, uncertain Greek Mint c. 1183 - 1185

Curator: We're looking at a "Half-tetarteron of Andronicos I," crafted at an uncertain Greek mint. Editor: It looks like something dredged from the sea, ancient and worn. Curator: Indeed. As a material object, this coin offers a glimpse into the economic and political landscape of the Byzantine Empire under Andronikos I. Coinage was instrumental in projecting imperial power. Editor: Look at the texture; the relief is quite subtle. Notice the interplay of circular and polygonal shapes, defining the coin's form and image. I wonder how the imagery signified legitimacy? Curator: Well, the imagery often depicted the emperor and religious symbols, communicating the emperor's authority and divine mandate to a broad audience. It acted as a propaganda tool. Editor: Fascinating, to think such a small object could bear such heavy symbolic weight. Its design is a product of that period. Curator: Absolutely. And the coin's existence now provides material evidence about the time period and its historical legacy.