Asper of Manuel I of Trebizond c. 1237 - 1263

Curator: This is the "Asper of Manuel I of Trebizond," thought to be designed by Manuel himself! Editor: It has this beautifully weathered quality; the images are soft and ghostly, like a memory surfacing. Curator: Precisely. It's more than just currency; it's a statement of power, a symbol. The intricate geometric designs feel almost sacred. Editor: The formal, almost hieratic, presentation of the emperor flanked by the saints speaks volumes about divine right. It’s a coin, but also a carefully constructed message. Curator: I feel this longing, the way it connects me to Byzantium's legacy, to a kingdom that traded across the Black Sea. It's a tangible link. Editor: Indeed, and from a formalist perspective, the patinated surface is as crucial as the figuration. It adds a layer of complexity, of temporality, transforming the metal itself. Curator: What a poignant reflection of passing time, of empires rising and fading.