Stavraton of John VIII c. 1425 - 1448

Editor: This is a Stavraton, a silver coin by John VIII, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It has a worn, almost ghostly feel to it. What can you tell me about this coin? Curator: Well, imagine holding a piece of history in your palm. This Stavraton, though small, whispers tales of Byzantium. See how the imagery, likely religious, is pressed onto the metal. It’s a tangible connection to a ruler and an era. What feelings arise when you envision the hands it passed through? Editor: Mostly, I feel like I am missing something. Curator: Sometimes the best stories hide in the quiet details. We see what we feel we know. Editor: Thanks, that really opened my eyes.