Trachy nomisma of Andronicos I, Constantinople c. 1183 - 1185

Curator: This is a trachy nomisma of Andronicos I, minted in Constantinople, and currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as incredibly tactile. The surfaces appear worn and uneven, almost organic in their shape. Curator: Indeed. The imagery, though faded, speaks volumes about the power and legitimacy Andronicos sought to project. Note the figure of Christ and the emperor. Editor: The composition, even in its deteriorated state, retains a striking symmetry. The figures mirror each other, creating a sense of balance and order. Curator: The images reinforce a narrative of divine sanction and earthly authority. It's a potent reminder of the interwoven nature of religious and political power during his reign. Editor: And the choice of metal, its color, and texture—all contribute to the overall feeling of antiquity and authority. Curator: It certainly invites us to consider the narratives embedded in such a small, yet weighty, object. Editor: A fascinating convergence of form and function, a material testament to a complex history.