Copper Assarion of Andronikos II c. 1282 - 1328

Curator: Here we have a Copper Assarion of Andronikos II, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks incredibly worn. I imagine the touch and handling of countless transactions has smoothed out the copper over time. Curator: Indeed. Each side bears a distinct set of symbols, layered with historical and religious significance. Notice the cross, a dominant emblem indicative of the Byzantine era's deep Christian faith. Editor: The wear also speaks to the inherent value placed on the materiality of coinage itself. Copper, though base, served as the very mechanism to enable trade, and empower everyday commerce. Curator: It served as a potent symbol of imperial authority and divine sanction. This coin was a way of broadcasting Andronikos II's power throughout his realm. Editor: A very small object that once held enormous social weight, quite literally passed from hand to hand. It makes you wonder about the labor and resources invested in its production. Curator: Pondering the coin's dual role as a functional object and a symbolic artifact offers a rich view into the Byzantine world. Editor: I agree, seeing the coin as both medium and message gives you so much more to consider.