Copper Tessera of Manuel, Sebastophoros c. 12th century

Editor: This is a small, copper tessera of Manuel, a Sebastophoros. I’m immediately struck by how humble the material seems for something likely connected to royalty. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The material itself, copper, speaks volumes. Its value wasn't intrinsic, like gold, but derived from its role in the Byzantine economy. How does its production and circulation reflect the power structures of the time? Editor: So, the tessera's value lies not in the material's cost, but in its societal function. Fascinating. Curator: Precisely. Its circulation, tied to imperial favor, highlights a system of exchange and obligation. We can understand power not just through grand gestures, but in the everyday materials that structured society.