Copper Assarion Class 11 of Andronikos II, Constantinople c. 1282 - 1328

Curator: Before us is a copper coin, an Assarion Class 11 of Andronikos II, crafted in Constantinople. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by its humble materiality, this eroded surface whispering tales of countless transactions and the hands it passed through. Curator: Precisely! The very wear and tear on this small object speak volumes about its circulation, reflecting the economic realities of the Byzantine Empire under Andronikos. Editor: Beyond the economics, observe how the imagery, despite its degradation, still evokes the emperor's power and divine right, symbols embedded into the very fabric of daily exchange. Curator: Indeed, the production of such a coin underscores the state's control over resources and labor, dictating not only value but also visual propaganda accessible to the masses. Editor: So, we have more than just currency; this is a potent symbol, a small monument imbued with the weight of empire and the stories of those who used it. Curator: Ultimately, it highlights how something so functional also served as a powerful instrument of ideological control. Editor: A lasting testament to the material's capacity to bear both practical and symbolic meaning.