One-Eighth Stavraton of John VII 1390

Editor: This is a One-Eighth Stavraton of John VII. It appears worn, almost fragile. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: This coin is a window into a turbulent era. John VII's reign was brief and contested. How does this object challenge conventional narratives of Byzantine power? Editor: It's tiny, almost easily dismissed. Curator: Exactly. Consider how its existence subverts the grand narratives typically associated with emperors. This coin whispers stories of political instability and perhaps economic struggle, challenging the dominant patriarchal power structure. Editor: I never thought of it that way. Curator: It's not just about who held power, but how that power was negotiated and expressed through these everyday objects. Each coin acted as propaganda within a society. Editor: Thanks, I now have a richer understanding.