Aspron Trachy Nomisma of Theodore I, Nicaea 1208

Editor: This is an Aspron Trachy Nomisma of Theodore I from Nicaea. Given the wear and tear, it feels like a tangible connection to a distant, turbulent past. What can we learn from a coin like this? Curator: This isn't just currency; it's a carefully crafted piece of propaganda, reflecting the emperor's power and the Byzantine Empire's claim to legitimacy after the sack of Constantinople. How does its existence challenge or reinforce narratives of the period? Editor: So, it's a statement about power and continuity in a time of crisis? Curator: Precisely. It speaks volumes about how political authority is constructed and maintained through symbolic representation, especially in times of upheaval. We can even see the role of faith in that visual language. Editor: Thinking about it that way really brings the coin to life. Thanks!