Trachy of Manuel Komnenus-Doukas of Thessalonike c. 1230 - 1237

Editor: This is the Trachy of Manuel Komnenus-Doukas of Thessalonike, a small, metallic coin held in the Harvard Art Museums. What stories do these figures tell, Curator? Curator: The coin's imagery reveals a complex interplay of power and divinity. Notice how Manuel is depicted alongside a saint, a common trope asserting divine endorsement. What feelings are evoked by seeing these two figures together? Editor: It feels like a claim to legitimacy. Were coins like these widely circulated? Curator: Absolutely. These were tools of propaganda. The repetition of these images would have reinforced Manuel's authority within the collective consciousness. They acted as small, portable icons. Editor: That makes me think about how we use images today. It's fascinating to see that impulse reflected so far back. Curator: Indeed. The coin serves as a reminder of the enduring power of symbols to shape beliefs and perceptions.