Asper of Manuel I of Trebizond c. 1237 - 1263

Curator: Here we have an Asper of Manuel I of Trebizond, held at the Harvard Art Museums and weighing in at just under 3 grams. The artist is none other than Manuel I of Trebizond himself. Editor: It’s remarkable how much this little coin evokes. There’s a sense of solemn authority communicated, even through the wear and tear of time. Curator: Precisely. The coin's design, the figures rendered in relief, adheres to Byzantine artistic conventions, reflecting the empire's influence on Trebizond. Note the careful articulation of the robes and the imperial regalia. Editor: The act of minting currency was intrinsically political, wasn't it? It's a statement of power and economic control, especially for a ruler navigating the complexities of a successor state like Trebizond. Curator: Indeed. The coin served as both a medium of exchange and a symbol of Manuel I's legitimacy. Editor: Studying this tiny artifact pulls back the curtain on the grand theater of empire. It makes the past very tangible, doesn’t it? Curator: It certainly offers a unique glimpse into the economic and political landscape of the Byzantine world.