Trachy Type B of Theodore I, Nicaea c. 1205 - 1221

Curator: Here we have "Trachy Type B of Theodore I, Nicaea," a coin currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums, likely intended for trade and transaction. Editor: The worn patina suggests age and handling, which gives it a sense of history; the metal’s surface almost glows, despite the corrosion. Curator: Note how the coin's imagery—its structural element—is so rigidly organized; the figures depicted exhibit hierarchical positioning, typical of Byzantine iconography. Editor: And consider the striking process; the metal was clearly worked, hammered, and stamped under considerable force, a testament to the labor of the mint. The slight irregularities of its shape suggest a human element to the production, don't you think? Curator: Certainly. The material speaks to its intended function—a store of value meant for circulation. Editor: Absolutely. It's interesting to consider how this little object facilitated exchange, labor, and, ultimately, power.