Coin of Alexios III c. 1195 - 1197

Editor: Here we have a gold coin, likely from the late 12th century, made during the reign of Alexios III. It’s quite small and has a certain weightiness to it, both literally and figuratively. What can you tell me about this object? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a potent symbol of power and legitimacy. Consider the images: Christ on one side, the emperor with a saint on the other. How do these images reinforce the emperor's divine right to rule, especially considering the political instability of the Byzantine Empire at the time? Editor: So it’s like propaganda, projecting stability when things were actually quite shaky? Curator: Precisely. This coin becomes a tool, a means of visually communicating authority and even, perhaps, attempting to quell anxieties about the empire's future. Thinking about its circulation, who would have seen this coin and how might they have interpreted its message? Editor: That makes me think differently about something as simple as currency. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It is a powerful reminder that even the smallest objects can carry immense historical and social weight.