Coin of John II c. 12th century

Editor: Here we have a “Coin of John II,” of indeterminate date, found at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s quite small, almost rough-looking, and heavily patinated. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to the material itself. The coin's value isn't just symbolic; it represents labor extracted and power concentrated. Consider the mining, smelting, and minting processes—all reflecting the social and economic structures of John II's reign. What does its condition tell us about its use and circulation? Editor: That's a good point. The wear and tear suggest a life of constant exchange. Curator: Exactly. Each transaction is a micro-history of material culture and economic interaction. It encourages us to think about the coin not just as currency, but as a physical embodiment of social relations. What do you think? Editor: I’m starting to see it less as a relic and more as a record of material and social processes. Curator: Precisely! It's a reminder that art, even something as seemingly mundane as a coin, is rooted in material conditions and social practices.