One-Eighth Stavraton of John VII 1390

Curator: This tiny coin is known as One-Eighth Stavraton of John VII. Now residing at the Harvard Art Museums, it offers a tangible link to late Byzantine history. Editor: The stark monochrome and rough texture give it a feeling of austere antiquity, like a relic unearthed from centuries of silence. Curator: Indeed, it's a testament to the economic and political instability that defined John VII's brief reign. Minting fractional currency reflects a society grappling with resource scarcity. Editor: The die-striking is crude but carries symbolic weight; observe how the central figure dominates the composition. The details may be worn, but the structural integrity remains. Curator: Absolutely, and considering its size, its value would have been intrinsically linked to complex socio-economic power dynamics. It acted as a critical medium of exchange for the everyday person. Editor: Its design, though simple, functions as a visual shorthand for power and authority; even its degradation contributes to its narrative richness. Curator: Precisely, understanding its use expands our understanding of the era, providing a glimpse into the lives of those who used it. Editor: After closer examination, I find the coin's raw state rather compelling, in its unrefined materiality, a distinct form of beauty.