Coin of Manuel I c. 12th century

Editor: So, this is a coin from Manuel I. It's small, a bit beat up, and made of... well, coin-y stuff. Looking at it, I get this sense of faded grandeur, like a story whispering from the past. What do you see in it? Curator: Ah, yes! This humble little disc speaks volumes. I see power, of course, but also vulnerability. Imagine holding the weight of an empire in your palm, symbolized by this very coin. It circulated through markets, felt the touch of countless hands... A tangible link to another time. Editor: It really does feel like a piece of history you could hold. Curator: Exactly! And that's where the magic lies. What do you think it would have been like to spend it? Editor: Now I'm imagining the sights and sounds of the marketplace, thanks! Curator: It's amazing what a little coin can evoke.