Coin of John I Tzimiskes c. 969 - 976

Curator: Here we have a coin of John I Tzimiskes, weighing in at just 2.38 grams. It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's tiny, isn't it? But somehow…imposing. Look at the weight of those symbols, packed onto such a small surface. Curator: Absolutely. Coins, of course, are more than just currency. They're concentrated packages of imperial ideology. Consider the iconography: the ruler's image, Christian symbols, all serving to legitimize power. Editor: It's like a miniature billboard, screaming "legitimacy" across centuries. The artistry in such a functional object is impressive. Curator: Indeed, these symbols were instantly recognizable, embedding the emperor's authority in everyday transactions. It reflects cultural memory through visual symbols. Editor: You know, holding something like this, you can almost feel the weight of history, the echoes of power struggles and daily life. Curator: Precisely. It's a tangible link to Byzantium. Editor: Gives you a lot to think about for such a small thing. Curator: Indeed, it’s a fascinating intersection of art, power, and belief. Editor: A pocket-sized echo of a lost world.