Copper Trachy of Andronikos II c. 1282 - 1328

Editor: This is a Copper Trachy of Andronikos II from the Harvard Art Museums. It looks quite worn. I'm curious, what can you tell me about the role of currency like this in its time? Curator: Currency was more than just a medium of exchange; it projected power. Andronikos II used imagery to legitimize his rule. The coin's design, how it circulated, even its metallic content, were all part of a political narrative. Editor: So, the images on the coin weren't just decoration? Curator: Not at all. Consider the figure depicted. Who is being represented? What message is the ruler trying to convey about their authority and connection to divine power? The coin becomes a miniature propaganda machine, constantly circulating within society. Editor: That's fascinating! I never thought about currency as a form of public art. Curator: Precisely! And studying its circulation reveals trade routes and economic influence, painting a richer picture of the period. It invites us to question: who controlled the imagery, and whose stories were left untold?