Aspron Trachy Nomisma of Theodore I, Nicaea 1212 - 1221

Editor: Here we have an Aspron Trachy Nomisma of Theodore I from Nicaea. It is worn and discolored, but still contains a lot of information. What kind of narratives can be unpacked from this coin? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a statement. It represents the power and resilience of the Nicaean Empire, a Byzantine fragment fighting for survival amidst political turmoil. Consider how the very act of minting coins was an assertion of sovereignty, a refusal to be erased. Editor: So, it's about more than just the image on the coin itself? Curator: Exactly. It’s about understanding how objects like this participated in shaping identity and power dynamics during a period of intense societal upheaval. It makes you wonder about the messages it sent and who was excluded from its promise. Editor: That’s a fascinating way to look at it. I never considered coins in this light before.