Stavraton of John V c. 1341 - 1391

Curator: The Stavraton of John V, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, presents two faces of power wrought in miniature. Editor: There's something so vulnerable about its worn state. It speaks to me of survival, almost against all odds, yet still bearing witness. Curator: The coin, commissioned by John V, served as both currency and a potent symbol of Byzantine authority. Note the meticulous rendering of the emperor’s regalia. Editor: Power and representation. I think it’s important to recognize the broader implications. Who had access to this system, and who was excluded? What does it say about economic disparity then versus now? Curator: Indeed. While the coin solidified John V's image, the images, themselves, carry historical weight, echoing broader artistic and cultural traditions. Editor: Well, it’s a reminder that even objects of mundane exchange—like this coin—are loaded with ideology and societal structures. Curator: Absolutely, these minute details contribute to its grand narrative, a testament to an empire's self-perception. Editor: And how that self-perception either sustained or undermined its power. It’s more than just money; it's a mirror reflecting a whole system.