Stavraton of John V c. 1341 - 1391

Editor: This is a Stavraton coin, made by John V. The coin’s worn details make me think about the passage of time, and I wonder how its imagery spoke to people back then. What symbols do you see at play in this piece? Curator: The images pressed into this coin are ripe with cultural memory. See how the ruler’s image is presented, framed by inscriptions? It’s a declaration of power, but also of legitimacy, echoing the traditions of representation reaching back to antiquity. Editor: So, the symbols connect the ruler to past figures and ideas of authority? Curator: Precisely. The Stavraton isn’t just currency; it’s a carefully constructed image meant to resonate with the values and beliefs of its time, projecting a sense of enduring power. Editor: That’s fascinating; I’ll definitely remember to look for those echoes in other artworks too! Curator: Indeed. This coin reminds us that every image, no matter how small, carries a weight of cultural history.