Copper Assarion of Andronikos II c. 1282 - 1328

Editor: Here we have a Copper Assarion by Andronikos II, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Seeing it displayed like this makes me consider how such a small object can carry so much weight and historical context. How do you interpret this coin? Curator: It represents the power structures of the Byzantine Empire, but more importantly, it reflects the daily lives and economic realities of ordinary people under Andronikos II's rule. What does it mean to hold the symbol of power in the palm of your hand? Editor: I guess it makes the power feel more tangible, less abstract? Curator: Exactly! Currency is a social contract, a shared belief system. And this coin reminds us that even the smallest objects can be powerful agents of cultural and political meaning. Editor: That's definitely a new perspective for me, thank you. Curator: My pleasure. It's about understanding how even everyday objects participate in the grand narratives of history.