Coin of Manuel I c. 12th century

Editor: Here we have a "Coin of Manuel I" from the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, as you can see, a little over 1.8 grams. It looks well-worn. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: It whispers tales of Byzantine power, doesn't it? Imagine holding Manuel I in your hand, maybe purchasing olives. Its weight, its very imperfections, connect us. Do you see the faint figures? The emperor asserting divine right through iconography? It's a claim, a prayer, a piece of pocket history. Editor: It's amazing to think of something so small carrying so much weight. I'll definitely look at coins differently now. Curator: Exactly! Let's see what other little universes await.