Copper Trachy of Andronikos II c. 1282 - 1328

Curator: This object is a copper trachy, a coin, of Andronikos II, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, the patinated surfaces strike me. The way the light plays across the worn textures hints at the passage of time, a tangible sense of history. Curator: Indeed, the coin served not just as currency but as a political tool, projecting the image and authority of Andronikos II to the masses. Editor: And formally, the dense, almost chaotic composition—particularly on the side with the figures—creates a powerful visual tension. The line work, though eroded, still speaks of craft. Curator: The imagery would have been readily understood. The emperor’s portrait legitimized his rule, intertwining secular power with divine right. Editor: Considering its small scale, it's remarkable how much detail and meaning it held. Curator: Precisely. It’s a small object that speaks volumes about Byzantine society. Editor: I’m left contemplating the layers of meaning embedded within.