Coin of Manuel I c. 12th century

Editor: So, here we have a "Coin of Manuel I" from the Harvard Art Museums. Looking at its weathered surface, it feels like holding a tiny, tangible piece of history. What whispers do you think this coin holds? Curator: Ah, it's like a little time capsule, isn't it? To me, it speaks of power, legacy, and the everyday transactions that built empires. I imagine it exchanging hands in bustling markets, funding grand projects, maybe even slipped into a beggar's bowl. It's humbling to think of all it has witnessed. Does its size surprise you? Editor: It really does! It feels so...intimate, considering its grand historical context. I guess I expected something larger, shinier. Curator: Exactly! That's its charm. It reminds us that even empires are built on small things, humble transactions. It also makes me wonder, what story could I create using this as the central protagonist? Editor: That's a beautiful way to look at it! I'm definitely going to think about coins differently from now on.