Coin of Michael III c. 866 - 867

Editor: This is a fascinating bronze coin of Michael III, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels weighty, not just physically at 6.26 grams, but also with the weight of history. What sort of symbols were important when portraying an emperor? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it’s a carefully constructed image, laden with meaning. Consider the figure depicted. Notice the cross, an immediate assertion of religious authority. How does that symbol resonate with other imagery on the coin, perhaps even influencing the emperor's perceived legitimacy? Editor: So it’s about communicating power through recognizable symbols? Curator: Precisely. Coins like this were mass-produced, making them powerful tools for disseminating the emperor's image and reinforcing his authority. The symbols, deliberately chosen, embedded themselves in the cultural memory. What do you think such a symbol meant to the common person who had this coin? Editor: Interesting. It makes you consider how symbols persist and evolve over time. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us that images are never neutral; they actively shape our understanding of the past and present.