Asper of Alexios II of Trebizond c. 1297 - 1330

Curator: Well, isn't this a moody little thing? Like a secret whispered through time... Editor: Indeed. This is an asper, a silver coin, attributed to Alexios II of Trebizond. Curator: An asper! The name alone makes it feel like something from a fairy tale. And the verdigris? It's almost like moss, hinting at untold stories. Editor: Consider this coin in the context of Trebizond's history, a splinter empire after the Fourth Crusade. Currency like this shaped its political and economic landscape. Curator: So, this isn't just a pretty face, it's a shaper of destiny! One side's a bit rough, but the rider's a marvel! Editor: The coin speaks volumes about trade, power, and identity within a complex world. These objects had a wide distribution. Curator: Ah, now I see it, it's more than just money. It's a little echo of a kingdom, carried in someone's pocket. I wonder what hands it passed through. Editor: Precisely. Coins help us understand economic and political networks of the period. Curator: I'll never look at change the same way. This one, at least, hints at magic.