Coin of Michael III c. 842 - 856

Curator: Before us is a Coin of Michael III. Its modest 1.2 grams speak volumes. Editor: The wear tells a story, doesn't it? The cross motif seems to dominate the design. Curator: Indeed. Note how the die engraver employed linear elements to articulate both the cross and the inscription. There's a conscious interplay between text and symbol. Editor: The cross, a powerful symbol, but almost abstracted here. It speaks to Byzantine faith but also governance. Curator: Yes, religion legitimizing authority. Striking! The design choices aren't arbitrary; they communicate power. Editor: Examining this artifact gives us a window into history. So much, from so little. Curator: A concise summary, hinting at much deeper analysis, I think.