Tetarteron of Alexios III c. 14th century

Editor: This is the Tetarteron of Alexios III. It looks like a small, metallic coin. What strikes me is the worn surface; it speaks of its history. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the means of production. This wasn't just about iconography, but the socio-economic framework it represented. The debasement of coinage – the actual material value diminishing – reflects the economic woes of the Byzantine Empire. Editor: So, the material itself tells a story of economic instability? Curator: Precisely! This wasn't just about Alexios III's portrait; it's about the empire's material realities reflected in its currency. Editor: That's a fascinating way to look at something so small! Curator: Material choices always reveal a context.