Coin of Justin II c. 574 - 575

Curator: Look, it's a Coin of Justin II from the Harvard Art Museums, weighing in at 13.39 grams. Editor: Wow, it's almost like holding a tiny piece of history in your hand. It feels weighty, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. This coin represents not only currency but also the labor of its production, the bronze casting, and the socio-political context of the Byzantine Empire. Editor: It makes me think about all the hands it must have passed through, from the artisan who made it to merchants in bustling marketplaces. It’s like a silent witness to so many untold stories. Curator: Indeed, and understanding its material composition gives insight into the resources available and the economic infrastructure of the time. Editor: It's amazing how something so small can contain so much. Curator: Precisely. Material analysis and artistic appreciation merge! Editor: I’m leaving with a renewed sense of connection to our shared past.