Copper Assarion of Andronikos II c. 1282 - 1328

Editor: Here we have a copper coin, a Copper Assarion of Andronikos II. What strikes me is how this everyday object carries symbols of power and faith. What do you see when you look at this coin? Curator: It's a potent example of how currency functioned not just as a medium of exchange, but as propaganda. The depiction of rulers and religious symbols was a deliberate act to legitimize power. Do you think that the cross and the figures normalize or question authority in this case? Editor: I see the cross as a symbol of spiritual authority legitimizing temporal power. I had never considered that coins can express power dynamics. Curator: Exactly! These coins offer us a glimpse into the intersection of politics, religion, and everyday life in Byzantium. Hopefully, this will spark future investigations!