Copper Politikon of John V c. 1341 - 1391

Editor: This is a Copper Politikon of John V. It's small, worn, yet still holds a certain weight. What do you see in this piece, beyond just an old coin? Curator: Consider how potent an image must be to endure on something so small, handled by so many. Look at the cross. A symbol of faith, yes, but also of imperial power, stamped onto currency. It's a deliberate fusion of the earthly and divine, isn't it? What does that signify to you? Editor: It makes me think about how intertwined religion and authority were back then. Curator: Precisely. And the wear on it? Each imperfection whispers of transactions, of hands that held it, of a world long past, yet connected to us through these enduring symbols. Editor: I'll definitely think differently about money now. Curator: Excellent, images speak volumes when you learn to listen.