Coin of Justinian I c. 541 - 542

Editor: This is a Byzantine coin of Justinian I, held in the Harvard Art Museums. Seeing the wear and tear on it, I wonder about all the hands it has passed through. What's your take on this piece? Curator: Well, I see a tangible echo of an empire. Imagine the weight of power—both literal, in the 21 grams of metal, and symbolic! It’s a small object, yet it speaks volumes about trade, authority, and the enduring human need to leave our mark. What do you make of the iconography? Editor: It's interesting that something so small can hold so much history. Curator: Exactly! It’s a portal, isn’t it? A reminder that even the smallest things can carry the grandest stories.