Half-Stavraton of Manuel II c. 1391 - 1425

Editor: This is the Half-Stavraton of Manuel II, created by Manuel II himself. The weight is 3.41 grams. It's fascinating how something so small can carry so much history. What symbolic weight do you see in this coin? Curator: Indeed. These aren't mere financial instruments. Notice the iconography: the ruler depicted, likely with divine attributes. Think of this coin as a miniature, portable declaration. What cultural memory was Manuel II trying to evoke? Editor: So, it's less about currency and more about projecting power through symbols? Curator: Precisely! Power, legitimacy, continuity. Consider the deliberate use of imagery – how does it connect Manuel to past rulers, to the very idea of the Byzantine Empire itself? Editor: It's amazing to think of the layered meanings embedded within such a small object. Curator: And how those meanings resonate even now, a testament to the enduring power of visual symbols.