Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 590 - 591

This is a copper coin, likely struck during the reign of Maurice Tiberius, who ruled the Byzantine Empire in the late 6th century. Coins like this were produced using a die-striking process, where a design is engraved into a metal die, which is then hammered onto a blank coin. The material itself, copper, would have been relatively common, but the skill lay in the die-making. The images of the emperor and the symbols of his reign were carefully incised, requiring specialized training. As such, this object reveals a world of labor: from the mining and processing of the metal, to the skilled craftsmanship involved in the coin's design and production. Moreover, the coin’s circulation would have facilitated trade and economic activity, touching countless hands and enabling everyday exchanges. So, next time you look at a coin, remember that it's not just money, but also a testament to the labor, skill, and social systems of its time.