Stavraton of John V c. 1341 - 1391

Editor: This is the Stavraton of John V, a coin likely made of silver, now at the Harvard Art Museums. The images are worn, yet there's a starkness to the engravings. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the labor involved in minting such a coin. What does the material, likely silver, tell us about the social context of its creation and circulation? Was it intended for everyday use or reserved for more formal transactions? Editor: That’s fascinating. I never considered the coin's material as a reflection of its social standing. Curator: The act of minting itself, a form of production, speaks volumes about the resources and power structures of the time. What was consumed to create this? Editor: So, it's not just about the image, but about the physical making and its implications. Thanks, that's a new perspective for me.