Asper of John II of Trebizond c. 1280 - 1297

Curator: Here we have the Asper of John II of Trebizond, a coin which is currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: You know, the first thing that strikes me is how much narrative is crammed into such a tiny space. It’s like a miniature epic. Curator: Precisely, these coins served as both currency and propaganda. The imagery, though small, communicated power, legitimacy, and religious authority. Editor: The condition feels like it has seen a lot, but I love the idea of something so old having passed through so many hands, literally connecting us to a distant past. Curator: The coin's design and metallic composition reflect the economic and political climate of the Empire of Trebizond during John II's reign. Editor: Considering how much this little thing was probably worth back then, I imagine someone clutched it with a lot of hope and a little bit of worry. Curator: It's a tangible link to a specific moment in history and offers insight into the lives and concerns of people long ago. Editor: Makes you wonder about the stories it could tell if it could talk.