Silver Token of Andronikos II and Michael IX c. 1294 - 1320

Curator: This is a silver token of Andronikos II and Michael IX. It’s roughly an inch in diameter and resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, the figures strike me as rigid, almost haunting. They're lined up like austere ghosts whispering secrets from a forgotten age. Curator: Indeed. The imagery on Byzantine coins, while small, was incredibly powerful, intended to project imperial authority and religious legitimacy. Note how the rulers are depicted with similar features, a visual representation of shared power. Editor: The symbolism feels so deliberate, so tightly controlled. I wonder what it was like to hold this in your hand centuries ago, to feel that weight of power, that decree rendered in miniature. Curator: Coins acted as instruments of cultural memory. The images and inscriptions reinforced the ruling dynasty's narrative, influencing public perceptions and preserving their legacy across generations. Editor: It's a heavy weight for such a tiny object, isn't it? This token has given me quite a bit to reflect on. Curator: Me too. It's a reminder that even the smallest objects can carry the largest stories.