Coin of Isaac II c. 1185 - 1195

Editor: Here we have a "Coin of Isaac II," of undetermined date, from the Harvard Art Museums. The material certainly looks humble enough. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, let's consider the production of this coin. Copper wasn't particularly rare, but the act of minting – controlling the metal, die-striking the image, regulating its distribution – speaks volumes about the economic and social control Isaac II sought to exert. Editor: So, it's less about the inherent value of the metal and more about the power it represents? Curator: Precisely. This coin exemplifies a means of legitimizing power. Think about the labor involved in producing these objects, the control of resources. Editor: That’s fascinating, it recontextualizes something seemingly simple. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure; material speaks volumes if you listen closely.