Tetarteron of Andronicos I, Constantinople c. 1183 - 1185

Editor: Here we have a "Tetarteron of Andronicos I" from Constantinople. It's attributed to Andronicos I and currently resides at the Harvard Art Museums. Looking at the patina of the coin, it evokes a sense of age and history. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about the material conditions of power. The debasement of the gold, the visible wear—these are not just aesthetic qualities. They reflect the economic and political instability of Andronicos's reign. How do you think the material itself contributed to the message being conveyed? Editor: So, the coin's physical degradation mirrors the emperor's weakening power? That's a fascinating way to look at it. I hadn't considered the material as a direct reflection of political circumstances. Curator: Precisely. By examining the materiality of the coin, we gain insights into the social and economic realities of the time, moving beyond a purely aesthetic interpretation. Editor: I learned so much about the history of this coin just by examining it closely. Curator: Indeed, materiality matters.