Trachy Type D of Theodore I, Nicaea c. 1205 - 1221

Curator: Here we have a small silver coin, a Trachy Type D of Theodore I from Nicaea, held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels incredibly fragile, doesn't it? The worn details suggest a long, eventful past, and the damaged edges give it a sense of incompleteness. Curator: Indeed. These coins were produced during a tumultuous period, after the Fourth Crusade when the Byzantine Empire was fragmented and Theodore I ruled from Nicaea. Editor: The incised figures, though faded, still project authority. Look at the precision of the lines, even in such a small format. Curator: Precisely. This coin served not only as currency but also as propaganda, projecting the power and legitimacy of Theodore's regime in a time of crisis. It’s fascinating to think about the messages it carried and the hands it passed through. Editor: A potent reminder that even the smallest objects can hold immense historical weight. Curator: A poignant reflection on power, loss, and resilience, captured in a humble coin.