Half-Stavraton of Manuel II c. 1391 - 1425

Editor: This is a Half-Stavraton, a coin by Manuel II. Looking at the rough texture and simplified forms, what details stand out to you? Curator: The incised lines, although worn, articulate a clear hierarchy. The central figure is framed by concentric circles, drawing the eye to its stylized representation. Note the contrast between the smooth fields and the textured edges; what purpose might that serve? Editor: Perhaps to highlight the central image, giving it more importance within the composition? What does this coin reveal about the artistic conventions of its time? Curator: Indeed. The abstraction of form, the use of line to define space, and the symbolic representation of power are all hallmarks of Byzantine art. We can interpret the formal elements as evidence of a deliberate aesthetic choice. Editor: That’s fascinating – the interplay between form and symbol. Curator: Precisely. Close examination reveals a complex system of visual communication.