Coin of Manuel I c. 12th century

Editor: This is a coin of Manuel I. Seeing the wear and tear on it, I can’t help but wonder about its history and what it was made of. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The wear is significant, isn't it? Its material speaks volumes. Being a coin, it was made of base metals and was a tool of trade, connecting the Byzantine court to everyday life, and facilitating the extraction of labor from the masses. Editor: That's fascinating. So, you're saying its value isn't just monetary? Curator: Precisely. The coin's real worth lies in its function within a specific economic system. It embodies the processes of production, exchange, and, ultimately, the distribution of power. What does it mean for an emperor to literally stamp his image onto the material foundations of his rule? Editor: It makes me think about the relationship between the ruler and the ruled. Thank you! Curator: It's a pleasure to consider how these objects reflect the materiality of power.