Coin of John I Tzimiskes c. 969 - 976

Editor: This is a fascinating piece: a coin of John I Tzimiskes, located at the Harvard Art Museums. Looking at it, I'm struck by how such a small object can hold so much history. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see layers of symbolic weight. The imagery, worn as it is, speaks volumes about the Byzantine era. Note the cross, a dominant symbol of faith and power, centrally positioned. This wasn't just currency; it was a declaration. Editor: A declaration of what, exactly? Curator: Of legitimacy, of divine right. John I seized power; coins like these visually anchored his reign in the cultural memory. The cross, a constant, offered continuity and quelled anxieties about change. Symbols are the bedrock of power. Editor: That's a really insightful perspective. I’ll remember that. Curator: And I'm reminded how objects, even small ones, carry vast narratives.