Stavraton of John V c. 1341 - 1391

Curator: This is a Stavraton of John V, located in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the wear and tear. It's a humble object that speaks volumes about trade and daily exchange. Curator: Exactly. Coins like these were more than just currency. They were instruments of power, bearing the image of the emperor, in this case John V, projecting his authority. Editor: And consider the labor involved. Each strike, a deliberate act of production, shaping the metal, embedding it with meaning. It’s craft meeting political ideology. Curator: They also circulated widely, influencing visual culture. Imagine how many hands this passed through, what markets it facilitated, and what stories it carries. Editor: Yes, it is a humble thing that connects us to a grand narrative, a vast network of trade and governance. Curator: Indeed, this coin gives us insight into the intersection of political power and everyday life. Editor: A perfect reminder that even the smallest object can reveal so much about the past.