Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 583 - 584

This is a coin of Maurice Tiberius, now residing at Harvard. It is a weighty piece, at almost 13 grams. The circular form of the coin, typical for its function, serves as a contained field for symbolic representation. On one side, the rigid and symmetrical depiction of Maurice Tiberius projects imperial authority and order. The lines defining his portrait are clear and deliberate, contributing to an impression of immutable power. Turning to the other side, the large 'M' likely signifies a denomination, anchoring the coin's value within a structured economic system. But the coin is not merely a tool for trade. It functions as a signifier, embedding meaning through carefully designed visual elements that reflect the emperor's power, value, and ideology. Consider how the circular form, an endless loop, perhaps was intended to signal the endlessness of the emperor's reign. Though such meanings change over time, the coin remains a compelling point of intersection between art, power, and belief.