Aspron Trachy Nomisma of Theodore I, Magnesia ad Sipylum 1212 - 1221

Editor: Here we have the Aspron Trachy Nomisma of Theodore I. It's a small, worn coin, seemingly made of copper. The details are faint, but you can still discern some kind of imagery. What can you tell me about this coin? Curator: Well, look closely at the material itself. Its copper alloy composition speaks to the economic realities of the Nicaean Empire, doesn't it? The debasement of coinage reflects the empire's struggle to maintain economic stability. Editor: Interesting. So the material tells a story of economic difficulty? Curator: Precisely. The wear and tear show it was actively used. The images, however faint, were tools of propaganda, circulating the emperor’s image and authority. Editor: I never considered how much the materials themselves can tell us. Thanks! Curator: Absolutely. Considering the means of production changes everything.