Coin of Justin II c. 572 - 573

Editor: So, this is a "Coin of Justin II," its date is unknown, and it's here at the Harvard Art Museums. The patina is gorgeous. What do you notice first about this little time capsule? Curator: Well, my heart always whispers stories when I see something like this. Imagine holding power in your palm, quite literally! This coin, it speaks of empire, of belief, of trade routes humming with life. Don't you think the wear and tear makes it even more precious? Editor: Absolutely, it's like it carries the weight of history. Curator: Exactly! Each scratch tells a tale. It reminds us how fragile, and yet enduring, even the grandest of empires can be. Makes you wonder what future generations will make of our own pocket change, doesn't it?