Trachy Type D of Theodore I, Nicaea c. 1205 - 1221

Editor: So, this is a Trachy Type D coin of Theodore I from Nicaea. It's a small, silver piece, quite worn. What historical narratives do you think this object unlocks? Curator: This isn't just money; it’s a statement of power and identity during a fractured Byzantine era. Consider Nicaea as a site of resistance and resilience, where a new empire was forged in exile. How might this coin have functioned as propaganda? Editor: Propaganda? In what way? Curator: By depicting the emperor and religious iconography, it reinforced legitimacy and divine right during a period of immense upheaval and contested rule. It asks who has the power to define and represent authority. Editor: That makes sense. I hadn’t thought about the act of minting as a political declaration. Curator: Exactly. The coin isn't just an economic object; it's a tangible piece of history that speaks volumes about cultural and political struggles of the time. Editor: Thanks, it’s fascinating to see it that way.