Trachy Type B of Theodore I, Nicaea c. 1205 - 1221

Curator: This is a Trachy Type B coin, minted under Theodore I in Nicaea, its humble 4.18 grams belying its symbolic weight. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the coin's worn surface, a tangible reminder of countless transactions, each one a small act of faith in a system of power. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this weren't just currency; they were instruments of imperial propaganda. One side shows Christ, the other depicts Theodore himself. Editor: And how do these images reinforce power? Consider how theological concepts of divine right are literally imprinted onto everyday objects. Curator: The Trachy's design, and its distribution throughout the empire, played a vital role in shaping perceptions of imperial legitimacy. Editor: I see it as a tool for social control, where religious imagery intersects with political authority to reinforce a specific power structure. Curator: A fascinating point. It reminds us that these objects, small as they are, are testaments to both individual lives and the broader sweep of history. Editor: Precisely. Examining the coin through these lenses allows us to question whose history is being told, and from whose perspective.