Half-Stavraton of Manuel II c. 1391 - 1425

Curator: Here we have a Half-Stavraton, a coin, created by Manuel II. It's held in the Harvard Art Museums and weighs a delicate 3.42 grams. What catches your eye first about this historical fragment? Editor: Well, immediately I am struck by the intense focus on the iconography, the dense layering of symbolic elements within such a compact space. Curator: Indeed! Each image, each inscription, is a deliberate act of visual storytelling. The figure of the Virgin Mary, for instance, is not merely a portrait but a powerful symbol of protection. Editor: Absolutely, Curator. And on the other side, Manuel himself, with the symbols of his imperial authority. It speaks to the complex relationship between the earthly ruler and divine power. One cannot exist without the other. Curator: This object allows us to feel connected with our history, doesn’t it? Editor: Precisely, and I find that notion incredibly moving.