Basilicon of Andronikos III c. 1328 - 1341

Curator: Here we have a Basilicon of Andronikos III from the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's fascinating how these small objects carry so much symbolic weight. The worn metal surface and diminutive size convey a sense of intimate value, almost like a token or charm. Curator: These coins served as propaganda, circulating Andronikos's image and authority. The imagery, though somewhat crude, would have been instantly recognizable, reinforcing his power structure. Editor: Indeed. And it's intriguing to consider the labor involved in producing these objects. The repetitive nature of striking these coins speaks to a kind of industrial, even if rudimentary, mode of production. Curator: Absolutely. These coins exemplify how even mundane objects become political instruments, shaping perceptions and legitimizing rule. Editor: Looking at it now, I'm struck by how its physical endurance connects us to the economic and social realities of the Byzantine world. Curator: Yes, objects like this provide material evidence that shifts our understanding of the society that produced it.