Stavraton of John VIII c. 1425 - 1448

Curator: Here we have the Stavraton of John VIII, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so worn, like a pebble you'd find on a beach. Curator: Indeed, this coin likely circulated widely during John VIII's reign. It embodies the socio-economic networks of the Byzantine Empire. One side depicts John VIII, the other a cross. Editor: Knowing this coin represented someone's daily bread, or maybe even their life savings, I can almost feel the weight of history, and the anxiety of the time it represents. Curator: Consider the material itself—silver, a precious metal signifying value and power. The wear and tear speak to its function within a system of exchange. Editor: Even if I didn't know it was money, I'd pick it up. It’s got that kind of unassuming presence. Curator: Absolutely, and analyzing its production offers insights into the labor and resources required to maintain the empire. Editor: I'll never look at loose change the same way again. Thanks for that.