Coin of Isaac II 12th-13th century

Curator: This is a copper coin of Isaac II, part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so worn, almost as if the metal itself is tired. I wonder how many hands it passed through. Curator: Well, it’s more than just a pretty object; it speaks volumes about the political economy of its time. Minted under the reign of Isaac II, it represents a conscious effort to standardize currency and project imperial power. Editor: And it’s quite small, barely bigger than my thumbnail. Think of the labor involved in crafting those tiny details. You can see figures and text, all painstakingly impressed into the metal. Curator: Absolutely. This coin wasn’t merely a means of exchange, it was a portable symbol of the Byzantine state. It provided a tangible connection to a ruler most people would never meet. Editor: It’s humbling to consider how much history is embedded in something so unassuming. A silent witness to everyday transactions and grand political schemes. Curator: Indeed. It's a reminder that even the smallest artifacts can offer enormous insights into our shared past. Editor: I agree. The craftsmanship and material conditions behind the coin reveal a fascinating story.