Coin of Manuel I c. 12th century

Curator: Let’s turn our attention to this intriguing artifact, a coin of Manuel I housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is one of antiquity. The coin’s worn surface hints at a history far beyond its monetary value. Curator: It’s fascinating to consider its material composition – the base metals used, their sourcing and refining processes during Manuel I's reign. It speaks volumes about the Byzantine economy. Editor: And the imagery! The iconographic program—likely Christ on one side and the Emperor on the other—reinforces the intertwined spiritual and temporal power of the era. Curator: Absolutely. It's a potent reminder that even objects like coins are products of labor and material conditions reflecting their culture. Editor: Indeed. Seeing these symbols together offers a glimpse into the mindset of Byzantine society. Curator: Examining this coin certainly underscores the complexities of material culture and its endurance through time. Editor: It’s a small object, but laden with so much symbolic weight and historical meaning.