Coin of Manuel I c. 12th century

Editor: This is a "Coin of Manuel I," currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes me is the intense wear and tear. How do we interpret a coin like this, knowing it was both a symbol of power and a tool for commerce? Curator: I see a direct link between power and production here. The coin's material, likely bronze, speaks to resource extraction, labor, and the emperor's control over these means. Its circulation shaped economic relationships, extending Manuel's influence. What do you make of the imagery? Editor: The figures are hard to make out, but their stylized representation must have been a deliberate choice. Curator: Precisely! Standardization was key to mass production and reinforcing the emperor's brand, so to speak. This tiny object embodies a vast network of resources and human effort. Editor: Thinking about the labor involved really changes my perspective. Curator: Indeed. It underscores how art and power are deeply intertwined with everyday material realities.