Half-Stavraton of John VII 1390

Curator: At first glance, I see the clear signs of human touch, the labor embedded in shaping the metal. Editor: Exactly! What we have here is a Half-Stavraton, credited to John VII, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Curator: The metal itself is so worn. I wonder about its circulation, the hands it passed through, the transactions it facilitated. Editor: Absolutely. Each mark tells a story of a world shaped by trade, power, and political maneuvering. Imagine the social status associated with owning such currency. Curator: It is a potent reminder that even something so small can embody a complex history of material exchange. Editor: Indeed, offering glimpses into the past.