Ducat of Roger II of Sicily c. 1130 - 1154

Editor: Here we have a Ducat of Roger II of Sicily, a silver coin. The imagery is quite worn, but I can make out figures and symbols. How did such a small object carry power in its time? Curator: Indeed. Coins like these were potent symbols of authority and legitimacy. Consider the visual language: Roger II portrayed as a Byzantine emperor, deliberately evoking the power of that empire. How do you think this imagery would have been perceived by his subjects, both Norman and those of other cultural backgrounds? Editor: I suppose it’s a way of communicating power in a visual language. I hadn’t considered the Byzantine influence so explicitly. Thanks. Curator: And it reminds us of the power of imagery to shape perceptions and reinforce political agendas even on something as small as a coin.