Half-Stavraton of Manuel II c. 1391 - 1425

Curator: Before us is the Half-Stavraton of Manuel II, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Given its worn state, what's your initial impression? Editor: It feels burdened, almost ghostly. The images are so faint, like memories clinging to the metal. Curator: Indeed. As a currency piece, its materiality tells a story of empire, trade, and daily exchange. Think of the countless hands that held it. Editor: And what symbols did those hands trust? The portrait, clearly, signifies authority, but the cross and other markings are also crucial to understanding Byzantine power and spiritual claims. Curator: The very act of production, minting, speaks volumes. This wasn't just money; it was a deliberate projection of imperial power, controlled labor crystallized in silver. Editor: For me, it's a potent reminder of how images and symbols endure, even as empires crumble, and money changes hands. Curator: Precisely, and the very process of crafting this coin highlights the empire's economic strategies. Editor: A fascinating point, it seems we both find value, in metal and image!