Asper of Manuel I of Trebizond c. 1237 - 1263

Curator: Let's examine this Asper, a coin minted during the reign of Manuel I of Trebizond, weighing a mere 2.83 grams. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by how worn it is, like a forgotten story whispered through metal. Curator: Indeed. These coins, though small, circulated within a complex political landscape. Their imagery – the emperor and religious figures – served as potent visual symbols of power and legitimacy. Editor: It’s amazing to think that something so tiny could carry so much weight, connecting the daily lives of people with the grand narratives of empire and faith. I wonder what hands it passed through, what stories it could tell. Curator: Precisely. The Asper offers us a tangible link to the socio-economic and ideological currents of its time. Editor: A tiny artifact that opens a window to a world, a history lesson you can hold in your hand.