Grosh of John Asen I of Bulgaria c. 12th century

Curator: This is a Grosh of John Asen I of Bulgaria, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Its weight is a mere 1.78 grams. Editor: It’s striking how such a small object embodies immense power, isn’t it? The worn surface speaks volumes about circulation and exchange within its historical context. Curator: Indeed. The material itself, likely silver, would have been a valuable commodity, intrinsically linked to trade routes and resource extraction. We should consider the labor involved in its mining and processing. Editor: Absolutely. And beyond the coin's material value, the imagery—the figures, the symbols—these were potent tools in shaping identity and legitimizing power, particularly within the socio-political landscape of Bulgaria at the time. Who did it represent? Who did it exclude? Curator: Excellent points. Considering its production and use lets us move beyond simple aesthetics to understand it as a complex artifact embedded in social relations. Editor: Ultimately, a tiny object, but massive in its implications for understanding power, value, and representation. Curator: A fascinating glimpse into the material culture and political economy of its time.