Politikon of John V c. 1341 - 1391

Curator: Here we have the Politikon of John V, held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so incredibly small and worn! Like holding a tiny piece of history in your palm. Curator: It’s a coin, probably silver, and would have been part of the economic system during the reign of John V. The cross is a strong symbol of that era, and that imagery connects us directly to Byzantine society. Editor: And that's the weight of symbolism, right? The cross, not just as a shape, but as a container for faith, empire, daily life... all pressed into this little metal disc. Curator: Precisely. These weren't just transactions, they were visual assertions of power and belief, meant to circulate and resonate. Editor: Makes you wonder about all the hands this coin has passed through, doesn’t it? Curator: Indeed. It connects us to a distant past in such a tangible way. Editor: You're right. It is like whispering secrets of a lost empire.