Coin of Justinian I c. 552 - 553

Curator: This is a coin of Justinian I, currently held in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs roughly 17 grams. Editor: It feels weighted by history. The texture, the worn details—it evokes a deep sense of time. Curator: Indeed. Observe the composition: the clear division of space, the deliberate arrangement of symbols and text. The obverse presents Justinian, while the reverse highlights monetary symbols. Editor: The figure of Justinian, though eroded, still emanates power, and the cross held in his hand—such a potent symbol of his reign’s religious underpinnings. The coin essentially communicates a divine right to rule. Curator: Precisely. The design choices, material, and method of production all reinforce the authority of the emperor and the Byzantine state. Editor: One can almost feel the countless hands that have touched this coin, carrying it through markets, across borders, each interaction imbuing it with a little more meaning. Curator: The coin’s aesthetic and function reflect the cultural and political values of its time. Editor: It is really captivating how such a small object can contain so much cultural memory.