Half-Stavraton of Manuel II c. 1391 - 1425

Editor: This is a Half-Stavraton, a coin created by Manuel II. It’s fascinating to see a ruler as the artist. What stories does this coin tell about power and identity in its time? Curator: Absolutely. Currency isn't just about economics. Consider how Manuel II, through commissioning and potentially designing this coin, controlled his own image and narrative. The coin's imagery becomes propaganda, asserting legitimacy in a turbulent political landscape. Editor: So, it's a statement of power minted into metal? Curator: Precisely! Each detail, from the inscription to the depicted figure, reinforces the emperor's divine right and authority. How does understanding this context change your perception of the coin? Editor: It makes me realize how much an object like this can communicate about social structures and power dynamics. Curator: Exactly. It's a lens through which we can analyze the past and understand how those in power have historically shaped their own narratives.