One-Eighth Stavraton of John VII 1390

Curator: Here we have a One-Eighth Stavraton, a coin made by John VII. It appears to be quite small, around 0.73 grams. Editor: It looks like a rather humble thing, doesn't it? Quite worn, as if it's been passed from hand to hand countless times. I wonder about the silver content and the labor involved in its making. Curator: As currency, coins become potent symbols of power and authority. These images of John VII helped to legitimize his rule and project an image of imperial strength. Editor: True, but the scale is what strikes me. It's a fraction of something larger, a reflection perhaps of fragmented power, or a system built on very small transactions and maybe reflects on his short reign. Curator: It's a tangible link to a distant past, a time of emperors and shifting empires. Editor: Exactly. It speaks volumes, even in its diminished state, about the practicalities of governance and the enduring allure of precious metals.