Aspron Trachy Nomisma of Alexios III, Constantinople 1197 - 1203

Curator: We're looking at an Aspron Trachy Nomisma of Alexios III, likely from Constantinople. Notice the careful engravings on such a small surface. Editor: It's remarkable how much detail they managed to pack onto this coin. The patination gives it a sense of ancient gravitas, almost like it's whispering secrets. Curator: Indeed. The coin represents Alexios III, an emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Coins like these were not mere currency but powerful tools of propaganda. Editor: So, each coin was a miniature declaration of imperial power, circulated throughout the realm. I wonder how many hands it passed through and the stories it could tell? Curator: It's humbling to consider the weight of history it embodies. The surface’s texture, along with the form, reveals the artist's intention. It's a formal dance between representation and utility. Editor: A tangible relic of a vanished empire, transformed into a potent symbol of authority—quite fascinating to contemplate. Curator: Precisely. There’s still value in understanding the message and craftsmanship in this work.