Coin of John II c. 1118 - 1122

Editor: So, this is a coin of John II. It's fascinating how such a small, worn object speaks volumes about power and representation. What does this coin communicate about the Byzantine Empire's identity at the time? Curator: Precisely. Coins were potent propaganda tools. Consider who is being represented: John II, the emperor, but through whose gaze? How does this depiction reinforce or challenge the social hierarchies of his reign? Can we discern anything about his policies or the prevalent ideologies through the coin’s imagery and distribution? Editor: That's a great point. It makes me wonder about the coin’s accessibility, too. Curator: Exactly! Who would have handled this coin, and what messages would they have received, consciously or unconsciously? The material itself, its weight and design, all contributed to an understanding of imperial authority and the social fabric. Editor: This really reframes how I see something as simple as a coin. Curator: Indeed. Objects like these aren’t just artifacts; they are complex reflections of societal power dynamics, constantly shaping and being shaped by the people who interact with them.